Two to stand trial for fatal shooting

Two men accused of fatally shooting an East Palo Alto man and wounding a 72-year-old woman during an attempted robbery were in Redwood City Municipal Court Tuesday.

Judge Dale Hahn decided Tuesday afternoon that there is enough evidence for Kevin Clarke, 39, and Brian Lee Parker, 28, of Vallejo, to stand trial on charges of murdering Kenneth Hamel and shooting a bystander in East Palo Alto in April, San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

The pair allegedly shot Hamel during a botched robbery and a stray bullet went through the wall and struck a woman in an adjoining apartment, Wagstaffe said.

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office detectives, who investigated the shooting, believe it was drug related.

San Diego police arrested Parker, who was convicted in 1994 of a fatal Redwood City stabbing in May following an extensive manhunt. Berkeley police arrested Clarke about a month later.

Both men, who are being held without bail, will be arraigned in San Mateo County Superior Court on March 3 at 9 a.m.
-- Bay City News Service