Trial Date Set For Felon Accused Of Killing MoVal Man

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A Sept. 10 trial date was confirmed Wednesday for a convicted felon accused of gunning down a 20-year-old acquaintance in Moreno Valley.

Charles Edward Clayton, 58, is charged with first-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

During a status hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice, the prosecution and defense indicated that they would prepare for trial in two months, prompting Riverside County Superior Court Judge David Gunn to set the second week of September for motions and other proceedings. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Aug. 6 to ensure both sides are on track.

Pierre Amar was shot on the afternoon of Dec. 8, 2017, inside a residence in the 25300 block of Santiago Drive, near Perris Boulevard. Deputies were called to the house and found Amar suffering from bullet wounds to the upper body, sheriff's Sgt. Ben Ramirez said.

Clayton was arrested at the location based on witnesses' statements and evidence collected at the scene, he said. The victim and the defendant knew one another, according to investigators, but a possible motive was not disclosed.

Amar underwent emergency surgery at Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley, where he lingered on life support for six days.

According to court documents, Clayton has a felony record, but no details were available regarding his prior offenses.

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

— By City News Service