Hearing set for immigrant accused in San Francisco slaying weeks after release from jail
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A San Francisco judge is set to hear evidence in a shooting death at a local pier that became a flashpoint in the national immigration debate because federal authorities had requested city officials keep the suspect locked up.
Juan Francisco Lopez Sanchez is due in court on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to try him on a murder charge in the July slaying of 32-year-old Kathryn Steinle.
Sanchez has pleaded not guilty.
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Steinle's killing has brought criticism from some lawmakers because Sanchez had been deported repeatedly and was on the streets after San Francisco officials disregarded a request from federal immigration authorities to keep him in custody.