Preliminary hearings in a Chula Vista kidnap for ransom case resume Tuesday in state Superior Court. The case bears the hallmarks of Mexican drug cartels and may have strong cross-border ties. One expert says the depth and breadth of the hearings may indicate the case is part of a larger federal investigation. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.
Tuesday's hearings will be the fourth day of preliminary hearings. If the case goes to trial, six defendants could face life in prison for allegedly kidnapping a Mexican businessman in June and trying to collect $2 million ransom.
Former federal prosecutor, John Kirby, says the government may be using these preliminary hearings to audition witnesses, and the defense may be using them to see if there's a federal investigation.
Kirby : If there is an investigation that the federal government doesn't want revealed, if they can push hard enough for the details, they might be able to get a more favorable deal for their client.
Federal authorities are searching for the suspected leader of the kidnap ring. FBI officials believe the squad has kidnapped several people in Southern San Diego County.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
