DAYTON--Benjamin Orozco made his first court appearance in Columbia County Superior Court on December 21. He was charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Dayton resident Lance Terry, and with first degree assault, in the wounding of Dayton resident David Eaton. Both crimes that took place, in Dayton, twenty years ago.

Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney Rea Culwell said that Orozco has entered a not guilty plea to the charges.

On July 7, 1996, Orozco and an acquaintance, David De la Rosa, became involved in a confrontation with Eaton and Terry behind the PDQ convenience store at 403 East Main Street. It is alleged that Orozco shot Terry in the abdomen and the chest, and Eaton in the hand and the knee. Terry died the next morning at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Walla Walla.

Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies searched for the pair, who fled the scene on foot, and arrest warrants were issued for them.

De la Rosa was arrested in Mexico, in 1998, and he appeared in Columbia County Superior Court, where he gave a witness statement, posted a $50,000 bond, and was released.

Orozco was arrested in the State of Nayarit, Mexico last April, and was extradited to Walla Walla County on Dec. 15, according to Culwell.

Orozco is currently being held at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. Criminal Defense Attorney Jane Richards, from Asotin County, and Columbia County Public Defender, Rachel Cortez, are representing him, Culwell said.