A biotech executive accused of wounding his estranged wife’s brother and a former business partner in separate shootings in La Jolla earlier this month pleaded not guilty Monday to premeditated attempted murder and other charges. Hans Petersen, 49, was ordered held on $5 million bail. Deputy District Attorney Amy Maund alleged Petersen had two intended “targets” on Sept. 18. About 3 that morning, Petersen fired his gun into the master bedroom of 53-year-old Steven Dowdy, a UCSD researcher and former business associate, Maund alleged. Dowdy and his wife were sleeping when Petersen allegedly started firing. Defense attorney Marc Carlos told reporters that Petersen is a “pillar of the community” with no prior record, and was valedictorian of his business class at the University of San Diego.
