That’s What Friends Are For

A Fallbrook gang member will have to stand trial for stabbing his childhood friend, a San Diego superior-court judge ruled on January 27.

Skyylr Hamilton, 18, is charged with attempted murder and a handful of other felony and misdemeanor charges related to the September 29, 2009, attack.

Authorities allege Hamilton stabbed then-18-year-old José Barrera twice in the abdomen at around 10 p.m. on West Aviation Road in Fallbrook during a gang altercation. Hamilton was arrested a week after the stabbing.

Sheriff’s deputy John Klimek testified that when he arrived on the scene, Barrera’s intestines were partially protruding from his wounds.

Hamilton has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted, deputy district attorney Cal Logan said outside the courtroom.