Murder suspect returns to court following allegation of in-custody alleged attempted murder
The suspect in a murder case returned to court yesterday, amidst a second court case pending from his time while incarcerated. Here is reporter Adeline J. Wells with an update from court.
Nicholas Lee returned to court yesterday morning (8/13) for an Early Disposition Hearing before Judge Sarah Oliver.
Lee is the suspect in a December shooting that resulted in the death of Michael Ramos Jr., a teenager from Yucca Valley. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of a shooting at a party on the evening of December 21, 2025; upon arriving at the scene, they found Ramos suffering from a critical gunshot wound. On December 26, Ramos was taken off life support and died from his injuries at the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.
Attorney Joseph Walsh represented the prosecution, and Attorney Antonio Bestard represented the Conflict Panel for Lee, who is in custody. A conflict panel is a group of private practice attorneys assigned when a conflict of interest exists between a defendant and the public defender’s office.
Judge Oliver began court by addressing friends and family of both Lee and Ramos, and stressing composure throughout the legal proceedings.
“It’s my duty to protect the defendant’s due process right to a fair and public jury trial, to make sure that proceedings are fair throughout. It’s also my duty under our Constitution to protect victims’ rights, and to that I do extend it to the families and loved ones of the deceased.
They have a right to be present. Also, the press has a right to be present and report on every hearing. I always grant them access, because I think transparency is the most important part of our justice system. In order to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected, it is critical that I maintain decorum and everyone follows the rules of the court.”
Bestard told the court that the defense was reviewing DNA results as part of discovery and requested an extension of the hearing. Judge Oliver scheduled an Early Disposition Hearing for October 1 and noted that Lee has another criminal case pending in San Bernardino, which would, for the time being, remain in that district. The District Attorney filed charges alleging that on June 6, Lee and three other defendants attempted to murder another inmate at the Central Detention Center. Lee is charged with attempted murder, with the enhancement of inflicting great bodily injury. Lee also has additional charges stemming from Los Angeles County, with a U.S. Marshal hold.
Before adjourning, Judge Oliver asked the roughly 20 family members and friends of the victim if anyone would like to address the court. While no one did so, she reasserted that loved ones are welcome to attend hearings in person or electronically.
Nicholas Lee is charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder related to a second victim in the Joshua Tree district case. He is currently held at the San Bernardino County Central Detention Center on $2,500,000 bail.
