Pre-trial Conference for Benjamin Orozco Set for Jan. 9

DAYTON—A pre-trial conference for accused murderer Benjamin Orozco has been set in Columbia County Superior Court for Jan. 9.

Orozco has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of second degree murder in the shooting death of Dayton resident Lance Terry, and first degree assault, in the wounding of Dayton resident David Eaton 20 years ago.

Orozco and an acquaintance, David De la Rosa, became involved in a confrontation with Eaton and Terry behind the PDQ convenience store in downtown Dayton on July 7, 1996.

It is alleged that Orozco shot Terry in the abdomen and chest, and Eaton in the hand and knee. Terry died the next morning at St. Mary’s Medical Center, in Walla Walla.

Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies searched for the pair, who fled the scene on foot, and arrest warrants were issued for them. In 1998, De la Rosa was arrested in Mexico, and he appeared in Columbia County Superior Court, where he gave a witness statement, posted a $50,000 bond, and was released.

In April, 2016, Orozco was arrested in the State of Nayarit, Mexico. He was extradited to Walla Walla County on Dec. 15, 2016, and has been in the Walla Walla State Penitentiary awaiting trial.

Orozco made his first court appearance in Columbia County Superior Court on Dec. 21, 2017. Though he waived his right to a speedy trial, health issues have prevented a trial from taking place.

At a hearing last week, Orozco’s attorney, Jane Richards, said he is still having “significant health problems.” Resetting the pre-trial conference to January will provide Richards and newly-elected Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney, Dale Slack, with more time to prepare.