La Mesa
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Special circumstances allegations were filed Tuesday against a transient accused of killing a former Los Angeles Rams football player and another man Nov. 18.
However, Deputy Dist. Atty. Stephen Robinson said his office has decided to seek a sentence of life without the possibility of parole instead of the death penalty if George Cunnington, 27, is convicted.
Cunnington is charged with the murder of Rey Nicholas Phillinganes, 23, who was shot to death during an attempted robbery outside his girlfriend’s apartment in La Mesa.
The second victim is Robert Hetmer, 51, of Spring Valley, who once had Cunnington stay in his home.
Robinson said the grounds for the special circumstances are that multiple murders took place and that one occurred during an attempted robbery.
Cunnington pleaded not guilty at his arraignment before San Diego Superior Court Judge Herbert Exarhos, who set a trial date of Sept. 18.
Cunnington remains in County Jail in lieu of $1-million bail.
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