Alleged Central Library killer to stand trial for murder

Trey Walker with his infant daughter. (Photo courtesy GoFundMe)

A judge turned down a passionate plea from a man’s attorney and ordered him to stand trial for murder in a case where a young man was killed in front of the Central Library in East Village.

A preliminary hearing for Kenneth Miguel Chaney, 23, lasted two-and-a-half days in the 2023 death of Trey Walker, 20. Chaney’s attorney argued the prosecution had not proven its case that a murder trial was warranted.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Joan Weber viewed many surveillance camera videos that showed chaos before and after shots rang out at 12:15 p.m. on May 23, 2023 that left Walker, a young father, shot in the neck. Another man identified only as Moore was wounded twice.

Chaney’s attorney, Jessica Petry, said the situation was confusing, people were yelling, and “everybody describes Mr. Chaney as retreating.” She said Chaney’s state of mind was fear.

Another man, identified in court only as John Doe II, described Chaney as wearing a pink mask and looking scared. “He was still feeling fear,” said Petry.

“You have wonderful arguments to make at trial,” said the judge. “Those are all jury questions.”

Petry said Chaney acted “in self defense” towards John Doe II when he initially pointed a gun at him, but did not fire. Weber said “that’s a jury question.”

“Why did he chase Mr. Moore? He’s already killed one guy,” asked Weber.

“That’s one interpretation,” responded Petry.

“Why does he keep shooting? Too many shots were fired. There is probable cause,” said Weber.

The judge also ordered Chaney to stand trial for attempted murder of Moore, who did not testify, and assault with a deadly weapon upon John Doe II.

Deputy District Attorney Kristie Nikoletich urged Weber to order Chaney to stand trial on all charges. She said the sole shot to Walker was “a kill shot” to the neck. The judge viewed a photo of the yellow tarp that covered Walker’s body outside the front entrance on Park Boulevard.

Police Detective Emily Clark testified the shot to the neck severed some arteries, causing his death at the scene. The murder weapon was recovered from the home of an acquaintance of Chaney’s, she said.

Someone stole the backpack belonging to John Doe II which led to the initial conflict and chaotic activity. There was an unrelated incident minutes before the shootings on the trolley when Chaney and others came in contact with a man in a wheelchair who had a gun.

Chaney was ordered to return to court on July 23 to set a trial date. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility without bail.