BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Nearly two years after Margarita “Maggie” Lopez was shot and killed in east Bakersfield, the trial for the man accused of her death has been delayed until August, according to the Kern County court website.
PREVIOUS REPORTING: Man to stand trial for 2024 shooting of sister-in-law in east Bakersfield
Lopez, 38 at the time, was shot on April 19, 2024, in the 1200 block of Pearl Street. Deputies responded to a report of a shooting at about 10:48 p.m. and found Lopez. She later died at Kern Medical.
Paul Magallanes was arrested on April 20, 2024, in connection with the alleged shooting but was released shortly afterward. The Kern County District Attorney’s Office said at the time, “There was a lack of sufficient evidence to support criminal charges. We are awaiting further investigation at this time.”
He was charged with homicide on April 15, 2025, records show, with court dates dating back to late May 2025. It’s unknown when he was re-arrested.
Sandy Camarena, Lopez’s sister, said she witnessed the shooting. In an interview with Eyewitness News, Camarena said Magallanes, Lopez’s brother-in-law, allegedly shot and killed her sister after yelling racial slurs and physically assaulting her.
At the time of his arrest, Magallanes was a teacher in the Alternative Education program for the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District and was placed on administrative leave.
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Magallanes is due in court on August 7, for a readiness hearing. A tentative trial is set for August 17.