Bakersfield man charged with 2 murders, eligible for death penalty

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A man suspected of participating in two killings was arraigned Tuesday on more than a dozen felony counts -- including two counts of murder.

Patrrell Seals, 22, was ordered held without bail after a deputy public defender entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. Seals is eligible for the death penalty. He was arrested last week.

Seals and co-defendant Noah Malachi Hernandez -- who was arrested months ago -- are believed responsible for multiple shootings in the Bakersfield area, sheriff’s investigators said in court filings. Hernandez faces three counts of murder.

The two are due in court Monday for a status conference.

Among the killings of which they're accused is the Nov. 21, 2021, shooting of Jose De La Torre in the parking lot of the Taco Bell at 551 Weedpatch Highway.

Another shooting linked to them occurred on Dec. 17, 2021, in the area of East California Avenue and Ogden Street, according to the filings. James Ernest Ellis, 20, was pronounced dead after being taken to Kern Medical.