Suspects plead not guilty

SEATTLE — Two alleged gang members suspected in the

shooting death of North Bend resident Jorge Temblador-Topete pleaded not

guilty last week.

Emmanuel Grande-Martinez, 22, and Elmer Cisneros-Alvarado,

20, were each charged with two counts of first-degree murder and three

counts of first-degree assault, but declared their innocence in an

arraignment hearing in King County Superior Court Nov. 1 and 2, respectively.

One murder charge stems from a Sept. 24 shooting near Safeco Field

in Seattle that killed Temblador-Topete and left two Mount Si High School

sisters and their 21-year-old friend, Julio Castaneda-Ramos, wounded.

The first-degree assault charges were filed by the King

County Prosecutor's Office because the girls and Castaneda-Ramos were in the

car with Temblador-Topete while stopped at a red light. A second car then

pulled up from behind. Prosecutors allege Grande-Martinez jumped out from

the car that Cisneros-Alvarado was driving and fired shots at the four

victims. The girls' mother was also riding in the car but was not struck.

The second murder charge was filed for the Sept. 23 slaying of

John Diklich, who was found dead in the White Center area of Seattle.

Seattle police have said both shootings could be gang-related,

but have not released details on the exact motive or the connection with the

Valley residents.

Grande-Martinez and Cisneros-Alvarado are alleged members

of Mara Salvatrucha, an El Salvadorian gang, and were reportedly involved

in other shootings this summer.

Both men are each being held on $1 million bail.

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