Marine Facing Charges in Beating Death Identified as Darren Evans

Lance Cpl. Darren J. Evans walked into a Camp Horno area courtroom Thursday morning for an Article 32 hearing in which a court will decide if there is enough cause to mandate a trial.

He faces charges of murder, assault and violation of a lawful order in connection with the November beating death of Lance Cpl. Mario Arias.

Charges could be officially filed against him if the court decides to pursue the case. 

Arias, a 19-year-old Canoga Park native, was beaten to death Nov. 5 or early Nov. 6. Authorities arrested Evans who had apparently jumped from a third-story balcony and was in custody while recovering at Miramar Air Station.

Evans had never deployed and was a member of Camp Pendleton's Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303. He had no previous deployments and had joined the Marine Corps Aug. 23, 2010.

The hearing was , a Miramar spokesman told Patch in January.

Evans was not shackled or handcuffed during the proceedings. 

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Evans had been charged. He's had charges preferred against him. He could be officially charged after today’s Article 32 hearing. 

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