On Trial After 23 Years: Man Pleads Not Guilty To Killing Ex-Girlfriend's Lover

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – A Mexican national accused of gunning down his ex- girlfriend's lover in Menifee 23 years ago pleaded not guilty today to a murder charge.

Roman Torales Malagon, 48, was arrested in Veracruz, Mexico, earlier this year and extradited back to the United States last month.

Along with murder, Malagon is charged with a sentence-enhancing gun use allegation. He was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Helios Hernandez, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Sept. 13 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

Malagon is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.

The defendant allegedly shot Nicholas Macias as the young man sat in his car on Avenida Estrella on the afternoon of Aug. 22, 1993, waiting for his girlfriend, who had just broke off a relationship with Malagon.
Although she did not see the drive-by shooting, the woman immediately identified Malagon as the most likely suspect, according to prosecutors.

"Macias' girlfriend told investigators that Malagon ... had threatened both her and Macias before the shooting," said District Attorney's Office spokesman John Hall. "According to the investigation, not long after the murder, the woman received a call from Malagon, and she asked him why he killed Macias. Malagon reportedly admitted killing Macias."

Detectives attempted to track down the defendant, but had no luck in the months after the deadly attack.

In 2008, a D.A.'s office investigator was tasked with trying to find Malagon, and by last winter, his efforts began to bear fruit. On Feb. 16, Mexican federal police staked out his family's Veracruz home and spotted the defendant nearby, arresting him without incident.

After extradition proceedings played out, he was turned over to U.S. marshals, who brought him to Riverside.
Malagon has no prior documented felony convictions.

• Also see: Man Arrested In SWAT Standoff After Domestic Incident Was RivCo Sheriff's Deputy

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