The Mexican national charged with fatally shooting a young San Francisco woman walking on a city pier last summer is seeking dismissal of his criminal case, which added to the national debate over illegal immigration.

See more of our top stories on Facebook >>

Juan Francisco Sanchez-Lopez and his lawyer, Matt Gonzalez, are expected to ask a judge Friday to drop a second-degree murder charge and related counts, arguing that the judge presiding over a preliminary hearing late last year made procedural mistakes.

A San Francisco judge on Sept. 4 ordered Sanchez-Lopez to stand trial on murder charges.


Lopez-Sanchez was in the country illegally when he was released from the San Francisco jail despite federal immigration authorities requesting he remain in custody for possible deportation.

Interested in the stories shaping California? Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >>

He has pleaded not guilty in the July 1 shooting death of Kathryn Steinle, who was strolling on the Embarcadero when she was shot once in the back. Lopez-Sanchez’s attorney didn’t return a phone call.

ALSO:


More details emerging about English teacher arrested in O.C. jail break plot

ESL teacher accused of helping O.C. jail escapees is kind and a ‘loner,’ friend says

Fired after fatal shooting of Corvette driver, ex-LAPD officers sue to get their jobs back