Plea in Triple Homicide Postponed
As Attorney Asks To Be Removed

By Ari Burack

July 3, 2008

The attorney for a suspected gang member accused in the June 22 slaying of a San Francisco father and two of his sons today said he would ask to be removed from the case, citing a conflict.

Defense attorney Joseph O’Sullivan told San Francisco Superior Court Judge Lucy McCabe this morning that he “may have a conflict as I represent other people involved in this case.”

His client, Edwin Ramos, 21, of El Sobrante, has been charged in the murders of Anthony “Tony” Bologna, 48, and his sons Michael, 20, and Matthew, 16 after what police have called a “traffic altercation” in San Francisco’s Excelsior District.

Prosecutors have charged Ramos with three counts of murder and multiple special allegations involving gang membership, firearm use and multiple murders.

Ramos was scheduled to enter a plea today, but because of the potential conflict revelation, the hearing was postponed until July 10.

“Yeah, that’s fine,” said Ramos, when McCabe asked if he agreed to the postponement. He remains in custody on a no-bail status.

Outside the courtroom, O’Sullivan said he had recently received police reports from the case and discovered he had previously been hired to represent three other people named in the reports.

The issue of O’Sullivan’s removal from the case will also be revisited July 10, though he told reporters that Ramos “still wants me to represent him.”

On the afternoon of June 22, police found Anthony “Tony” Bologna, 48, and his sons Michael, 20, and Matthew, 16, shot inside their car just after 3 p.m. near the intersection of Maynard and Congdon streets, according to police.

Though an investigation is still ongoing, police have stated the shooting occurred after an altercation involving Bologna’s car and as many as three people in another car.

Tony and Michael Bologna were pronounced dead at the scene. Matthew Bologna was rushed to San Francisco General Hospital, but was removed from life support two days later, police reported.

Ramos is thought to be a member of the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, street gang and is believed to have fired the shots from the other car, a Chrysler 300 series that police recovered at Ramos’ residence.

O’Sullivan reiterated his earlier claim today that he didn’t believe prosecutors would be able to prove Ramos was the shooter.

FCJ Editor

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