VISTA, Calif. -- Two alleged gang members accused in the shooting death of an Oceanside police officer were ordered to stand trial on Tuesday, while charges against a third teen were dismissed.

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Images: Teen Makes Court Appearance | Images: Crime Scene Photos

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Judge Runston Maino ordered Meki Gaono, 19, and Penifoti Taeotui, 17, to be tried on murder charges and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. They will be rearraigned on April 9 in Vista courtroom.

The judge dismissed a third assault count against the teens.

Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

All counts were dismissed against a third defendant, Jose Compre, 17. Maino said there was not enough evidence to hold Compre over because most of the evidence presented during the preliminary hearing was circumstantial and hearsay.

"I just don't have enough evidence for a strong suspicion for Mr. Compre at this time," Maino said.

The deputy district attorney said they could refile charges against Compre, based on the results of tests on shell casings, which are pending.

The teens were arrested in connection with the shooting of Officer Dan Bessant, 25, in December 2006. He was slain while helping another officer during a routine traffic stop. The prosecution alleges that Gaono fired a rifle at Bessant while Taeotui simultaneously fired handguns.

During the 10-day preliminary hearing, a fingerprint expert testified that fingerprints found on the rifle used in the shooting matched Gaono. She said his prints were also on the rifle's scope.

Steve Bessant, Dan's father, said he was somewhat disappointed that Compre was not bound over for trial, but his hope throughout the investigation has been twofold: One that the people who committed the crime would not be able to hurt anyone else and that no innocent person would be found guilty of the crime.

If convicted, the teenagers face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Previous Stories:

• March 18, 2008: Judge: Teen's Statements About Officer Killing Admissible
• March 13, 2008: Lawyer: Teen's Rights Violated During Cop-Killing Investigation
• December 20, 2007: Vigil Honors Slain Oceanside Officer
• November 1, 2007: Prosecutors: Teens Ambushed Oceanside Cop
• August 14, 2007: Teen Accused Of Officer's Slaying Enters Plea
• January 5, 2007: Another Teen Arrested In Connection With Officer's Slaying
• January 3, 2007: Police: Web Site Could Provide Clues In Bessant Case
• December 29, 2006: Services Held For Officer Killed In Line Of Duty
• December 27, 2006: Prosecutors: Cops Say Teen Admitted Firing At Officer
• December 26, 2006: Slain Officer's Accused Killer Due In Court
• December 22, 2006: Investigation Of Officer's Slaying Yields 2nd Arrest
• December 22, 2006: Details Emerge About Officer's Slaying
• December 21, 2006: Police Identify Slain Officer
• December 21, 2006: Suspect Arrested In Officer's Killing
• December 21, 2006: Manhunt Under Way For Officer's Killer