Charges Against ‘Octopus Murder’ Suspect To Be Dropped Today
Charges that a former security guard-turned-preacher killed a tribal leader and two other people in 1981 probably will be dropped today.
James “Jimmy” Hughes, 53, is charged with murder and conspiracy in the deaths of Ralph Arthur Boger, 42, Patricia Roberta Castro, 44, and Fred Alfred Alvarez, 32, who was vice chairman of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians Tribal Council. They were found dead July 1, 1981, at 35040 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage.
Hughes was due in court for a felony settlement conference this morning at 8:30am, and has now been delayed until 1:30pm due to traffic issues transporting him from the jail in Blythe. He reportedly has all of his possessions with him.
Boger’s daughter, Rachel Begley, has said the state Attorney General’s Office notified her last Thursday that charges would be dropped against Hughes because of a lack of evidence.
Hughes’ attorney, Miami-based Rene Sotorrio, did not return calls for comment.
The state Attorney General’s Office has said it would not issue a statement on the case until tomorrow’s hearing — the 29th anniversary of the killings.
Hughes is accused of conspiring with three other men to commit the murders to keep Alvarez from exposing alleged illegal activities by the tribe’s casino founder, John Philip Nichols.
In addition to Hughes and Nichols, court documents identify the alleged co-conspirators as Nichols’ son, John Paul Nichols, and Glen Heggstad.
Hughes, who was arrested Sept. 26 at Miami International Airport and denied bail, founded Jimmy Hughes Ministries in Honduras. He remains jailed in Blythe.
