"I'd like to get (Gamboa) out of it," Wood said Wednesday, following a hearing at the Victorville courthouse. "She's getting dragged into a serious case when she didn't have any involvement."

Gamboa, 30, has been charged with accessory after the fact, according to Deputy District Attorney Julie Peterson, for allegedly helping to hide the three suspects involved with the murders, San Bernardino County Sheriff's investigators have said.

They said they believe she was involved with protecting Ralphael Hernandez, 36, of Victorville, Jesse Joe Ruiz, 30, of Whittier and Robert Rubalcava, 20, of Chino, each of whom has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

On the morning of July 9, sheriff's deputies and emergency personnel found Katie Espinosa, 23, of Adelanto, and Dillon Keys, 19, of Adelanto, dead of gunshot wounds inside the garage at a home in the 18600 block of Casaba Road.

They also found a wounded Gerald Svec, 26, of Chino, who was transported to Victor Valley Community Hospital, where he later died.

Peterson said that, regardless of Wood's intent for Gamboa, she's prepared to proceed with prosecuting all four defendants. They are scheduled for a prepreliminary hearing Dec. 2, and a preliminary hearing Dec. 6.

If found guilty, Gamboa could face 16 months to three years in prison, Peterson said. The other three defendants could face up to 75 years to life, she added.

All four defendants are being held at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. Gamboa's bail is set at $500,000, while bail for each of the other three defendants is $1 million.

James Ramage may be reached at 951-6242 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..