Almost a Year Later, Atilano, Mayorga Await Next Court Dates

Court proceedings for two high-profile cases based in Menifee continue to work their way through the system almost a year after the crimes occurred.

Menifee 24/7 continues to receive inquiries about the status of Skylor Atilano (right), accused of the murder of his half brother Terry Smith Jr.; and Noel Mayorga, charged with gross vehicular manslaughter in the traffic deaths of two women.

Atilano will next be in court June 12 at the Southwest Justice Center, when a judge is scheduled to review the probation department's report on whether he should be tried as a juvenile or an adult. Atilano was 16 whenh he was arrested on suspicion of murdering 11-year-old Terry Smith Jr, whose body was found buried in the family's Menifee back yard July 10 after a three-day search of the area.

Atilano has remained in custody at the Southwest Detention Center since his arrest following discovery of the body.

Mayorga, 38, of Menifee will be in court July 23 for a trial readiness conference, according to John Hall of the District Attorney's Office. He pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts in the deaths of two women during a traffic accident on Domenigoni Parkway July 7.

Mayorga was arrested following the accident at Inland Valley Regional Center, where he was taken with injuries sustained when the 2011 Ford Ranger truck he was driving collided with a 1994 Lexus driven by Rosy Vargas, 35, according to police reports.

According to police, Vargas was traveling northbound on Leon Road when her vehicle was struck by the Ford Ranger, which was traveling at a high rate of speed on Domenigoni. Vargas, of Menifee, and a passenger in the front seat, Monica Rochin, 49, were killed instantly. Three passengers in the back seat sustained injuries.

Mayorga was charged with two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Each count also has a number of enhancements that will be attached to them.