5 suspects plead not guilty in fatal Grand Terrace roller rink shooting

GRAND TERRACE, Calif. (KABC) -- Five murder suspects were arraigned on Wednesday for the shooting death of a security guard at a roller rink during a New Year's Eve party in Grand Terrace.

All five defendants, who were arrested on Tuesday, pleaded not guilty.

Many of the defendants' family members were also in court. The judge in the case did not want the defendants' faces shown on camera for identification purposes.

The five defendants are charged in the New Year's Eve shooting death of 48-year-old Richard Williamson outside the Cal Skate Roller Rink. Another security guard and a bystander were also injured.

A witness told Eyewitness News that Williamson "died a hero" trying to protect people when the gunshots rang out.

According to prosecutors, all five defendants are gang members. Though some are minors, they are all being charged as adults in this case. They face one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder for seriously injuring two other victims.

Court documents show that each defendant has prior serious or violent felony convictions.

The attorney representing 20-year-old defendant Topaz Prince Crummie of San Jacinto, also known as Prince Topaz Johnson, said his client did not fire any weapon.

"This is a good kid. This is a kid who has never given them any problems. His little brother is involved, and we're going to do everything we can to make sure he comes home as soon as possible," said attorney Winston McKesson.

McKesson added that his heart goes out to the victims' families, but he emphasized that his client does not have any criminal responsibility in the case. Crummie's brother is 17-year-old defendant Adrian Gentry of Adelanto.

The three other defendants in the case are Ezekiel Isaiah George, 18, of Perris; Laquan Trice, 15, of Perris; and Maurice Lamont Martin, Jr., 17, of Perris.

Bail has been set at $3 million.

The group is due back in court next month.