Trial delayed for suspect in murder of Giovanni’s Pizzeria owner

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A trial has been delayed for a man accused of shooting and killing the owner of a beloved pizzeria in Albuquerque.

According to police, Sylvan Alcachupas shot and killed Rosario Zito, the owner of Giovanni’s Pizzeria. It happened in 2022 during a robbery after the restaurant closed for the night.

Jury selection was originally supposed to begin Wednesday. However, court records indicate the trial was canceled. According to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, the judge needs to rule on some pending motions so the court will pick up the trial again in January.

A motion was recently filed by Alcachupas’ attorneys to suppress statements he made. The reason, they say, is because he gave those statements without first being read his Miranda rights.

Alcachupas faces a long list of charges, including first-degree willful and deliberate murder, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of armed robbery.

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