Murder Trial for Former Piedmont Resident Starting in Marin County

The trial of Joseph Naso, a former Piedmont resident charged with the murder of four women, began Wednesday, April 24, in Marin County Superior Court, but it's likely to be at least two weeks before witnesses begin to testify, according to a Marin County District Attorney's Office spokesperson.

Barry Borden, chief deputy district attorney, said Thursday that the first two days of the trial have been devoted to pretrial motions and that jury selection has not yet begun.

Naso, 77 at the time of his arraignment April 13, 2011, is charged with the murder of Roxene Roggasch in January 1977; Carmen Colon, 22, in Contra Costa County in August 1978; Pamela Parsons, 38, in Contra Costa County on Sept. 19, 1993; and Tracy Tafoya, 31, in August 1994 in Yuba County. The victims were found along roadsides in the three counties.

The Marin County District Attorney's Office is alleging that Naso, a self-employed photographer who took photos of scantily-clothed women who appeared dead, asleep or unconscious, strangled the four women who worked as prostitutes.

Naso lived in Piedmont during the late 1970s and early 1980s, according to local residents who attended Piedmont schools with his sons.

You may read more about Naso's years in Piedmont in "A Glimpse of Accused Serial Killer’s Life in Piedmont 30 Years Ago."

Bay City News Service contributed to this article.

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