SAN MARINO : 3 to Stand Trial in Slayings of 2 at Graduation Party

Three Asian gang members were ordered Tuesday to stand trial in the shooting deaths of two high school students gunned down at a San Marino High School graduation party.

During the weeklong preliminary hearing in Pasadena Municipal Court, three young people who attended the party testified that gang members came to the party armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, a .380-caliber handgun and a baseball bat. They intended to battle “enemies”--rival gang members already at the party--the witnesses said.

The three suspects--Cuong Chan Phan, 18, of Monterey Park; Vi Quoc Chauc, also known as Peter Chau, 18, of Rosemead, and Don Sam Ha, 19, a Los Angeles County resident--will return Nov. 2 for arraignment on murder charges in Pasadena Superior Court.

Tam Thi Tran, 19, of Westminster, pleaded guilty earlier to being an accessory to murder, which carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. No sentencing date has been set.

Another suspect, Mia Quiocho, 18, of Rosemead, faces a separate preliminary hearing Nov. 15. Meanwhile, a 17-year-old faces a juvenile court hearing soon to determine if he should be tried as an adult.

Murder charges against a seventh youth, Hau Tac San, also known as John Chan, 20, of South El Monte, were dropped after investigators determined that he was not at the party.