A trial date of Nov. 15 was set Aug. 22 for Noah Mitchell Jackson who is accused of killing the “Incense Man,” a well-liked transient in Ocean Beach who sold incense.
Jackson, 20, pleaded not guilty before San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael Smyth who then set the trial date in the slaying of Walter (Ras) Riley, 65. Riley was fatally stabbed on June 22, 2017.
His attorney, Eugene Iredale, said afterwards that another man who resembled Jackson and his clothing in surveillance camera photos may be the actual killer. Several witnesses who knew Jackson testified in the preliminary hearing that they didn’t believe Jackson was the man depicted in some photos.
Another witness, Jaime Hill, identified Jackson and himself in the videos that came from area businesses. One video depicted the stabbing of Riley in the 1900 block of Bacon Street at 12:30 a.m., but it was from a long distance away and facial features could not be seen.
Hill testified Aug. 7 that he chased the killer who ran off, but eventually lost him.  Iredale said Wednesday that phone records showed Jackson received a call during the time of the stabbing and he briefly talked with someone.  
Judge Steven Stone ordered Jackson to stand trial for murder after hearing all the witnesses over two days. Jackson was arrested Feb. 20, and he remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility on $2 million bail.