One of three suspects involved in the 2020 murder of John David Noonan, 41, was in court on Wednesday.
In court, the suspect, 38-year-old Eric Allen of Chico, pled no contest to the first-degree murder of Noonan.
On the night of January 23, 2020, Noonan was murdered in the parking lot of a Motel 6 off of Manzanita Drive in Chico.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said Allen was alleged to have fired a gun a Noonan twice, hitting him both times.
During the preliminary hearing, Ramsey said evidence was presented stating Allen admitted to others he shot Noonan from the back seat of a car being driven by Justin Cozakas, 35. Also inside the vehicle, in the front passenger seat, was 35-year-old Monica Ruggiero—Noonan's recent ex-girlfriend.
Ramsey said testimony revealed Noonan stole drugs and money from his girlfriend at the time, Ruggiero, in January 2020, ending their relationship. Ruggiero then hired Cozakas and Allen to find Noonan and either get the money and drugs back or "wreak revenge upon him."
Text messages from Ruggiero's phone confirmed she lured Noonan to the parking lot of a Motel 6 on Manzanita Ct. at 12:23 p.m. January 23, 2020, confirmed Ramsey. A separate vehicle was driven by Cozakas with Ruggiero in the front passenger seat and Allen in the rear passenger seat.
Ramsey said further testimony revealed Noonan got out of his vehicle and approached Cozakas's car. An argument ensued before Cozakas rolled up his window and at the same time put down his rear passenger driver's-side window. There, Ramsey says Allen produced a handgun and shot Noonan.
The other fled the scene and Noonan died in the parking lot.
In February 2020, Chico police detectives found and arrested everyone involved.
Ramsey says Allen remains in custody without bail and faces 25 years to life in prison. His sentencing is set for March 9, 2022.
On February 2, 2022, Cozakas and Ruggiero will be in court to set a new jury trial date.
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