Fast-food murder trial continues

The prosecution presented more witnesses Wednesday in the trial of

Ramadan Dokovic, a 42-year-old Downey man accused of shooting and killing

a 49-year-old Newport Beach resident a year ago.

On Tuesday, several witnesses testified that they heard Miroslav

Maric’s cries for help as the two men struggled over a long-barreled

handgun in the parking lot of a Jack in the Box restaurant at the corner

of 17th Street and Tustin Avenue in Costa Mesa the afternoon of May 18,

2001. They said the struggle ended when Dokovic gained possession of the

gun and shot Maric.

On Wednesday, jurors heard testimony from police officers and experts

from the Orange County coroner’s office. The prosecution is expected to

continue today with the presentation of more evidence, including police

interviews with Dokovic.

The prosecution maintains Dokovic shot Maric because Maric would not

lead him to his cousin, Mike Dokovic, who officials say headed a fraud

ring in Newport Beach. Prosecutor Matt Murphy said a Costa Mesa jeweler

had promised $20,000 to Dokovic if he could get back Rolex watches that

Mike Dokovic allegedly stole from him. The defense argued that Dokovic

acted in self-defense and only tried to protect himself from Maric.