Three suspects were ordered yesterday to stand trial for a five-person killing spree that prosecutors say grew out of a conspiracy built on witchcraft, extortion, drugs and prostitution.
After two weeks of often bizarre testimony in a Martinez courtroom, defendants Glenn Helzer, 31, his brother, Justin Helzer, 29, and Dawn Godman, 27, were ordered by Superior Court Judge Douglas Cunningham to stand trial on murder and conspiracy charges.
The three are accused of slaying Selina Bishop, daughter of bluesman Elvin Bishop, and four other people in the summer of 2000.
The body of Bishop, who was dating Glenn Helzer at the time of her disappearance, was found dismembered, packed into duffel bags along with the remains of Ivan and Annette Stineman, and dumped in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
Bishop's mother, Jennifer Vallarin, and Villarin's boyfriend, James Gamble, were shot to death in Marin County.
Authorities believe the Stinemans were abducted from their Concord home and forced to hand over $100,000 before they were slain. Police believe Bishop and the two other victims were killed to keep them from revealing the plot.
During the hearing, prosecutor Al Jewett categorized the defendants as evil and made several references to their fascination with satanic ritual.
Jewett said the conspiracy "wound its little tentacles" around Selina Bishop because the suspects feared being exposed.
"Selina Bishop was clearly killed . . . because he (Glen Helzer) felt she would betray him," Jewett said.
Prosecutors say the evidence presented at a preliminary hearing shows the Helzers were bent on starting drug and prostitution rings.
The Helzers and Godman have pleaded not guilty to 13 different charges, including murder, drug possession, conspiracy, extortion and false imprisonment.
After the hearing, James Gamble's aunt, Beverly Anglin, said she and other relatives of the victims are looking forward seeing Godman and the Helzers stand trial.
"We feel like we've been given a life sentence here," said Anglin. "And we are expecting the same for them."