Man charged in partner's shooting death during robbery
BARSTOW • A former Barstow resident involved in a June 2009 robbery gone wrong is now facing additional murder charges for the death of his fellow would-be robber.
Stefan Copeland, 36, formerly of Barstow, is accused of attempting to rob Paul Arreola’s Teton Drive home on June 12. Copeland was joined in the robbery by Los Angeles residents Lewis Ricardo, 50, and Henry Jackson, 57, who was shot to death by Arreola at the scene.
Prosecutors decided Tuesday that Copeland should face murder charges after reviewing applicable sections of the law. They expect to file the same charges against Lewis soon.
Deputy District Attorney Sean Daugherty said that under the provocative act doctrine, someone can be charged with murder if they are involved in a dangerous felony (such as a burglary) and provoke a killing.
Arreola was not charged in the shooting after investigators found that he acted in self-defense.
Judge John Gibson ruled that there was sufficient evidence to try Copeland on murder charges at Copeland’s preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
At the same hearing, Gibson found sufficient evidence for Arreola to stand trial on marijuana cultivation and sales charges, as well as controlled substance sale charges. While investigating the robbery in 2009, police found an elaborate marijuana grow operation at Arreola’s house and also suspect that he was selling the narcotic painkiller Hydrocodone based on evidence found at the scene.
Copeland’s attorney Salvador Silva had no comment on the case.
Copeland is in custody at the Adelanto Detention Center in lieu of $1 million bail. Daugherty said that Lewis is in custody in the Los Angeles area on charges unrelated to the burglary.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is urged to contact Barstow Police Detective Keith Libby at 760-255-5134 or Detective Ronan Colleoc at 760-255-5167. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-782-7463 or visit www.wetip.com.
Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4126 or adome@desertdispatch.com
