Marco Antonio Valencia, who is accused of killing cyclist Joseph Novotny on July 11 made an appearance in San Fernando Superior Court today, where his case was continued until October 28.

Valencia has been charged with murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony hit and run and multiple counts of driving under the influence causing injury with prior conviction and driving with a suspended license due to prior DUI convictions.

He is accused of hitting Novotny as he drove his pickup truck northbound on Bouquet Canyon just south of Big Oaks Lodge, crossing over into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck three cyclists. Novotny died at the scene.

Valencia’s prior arrests include a drunk driving offense for which he was convicted in September 2008 after he knocked down a power pole at Ranier Street and Whites Canyon Road in Canyon Country, and an arrest in December 2007 for loitering with fellow gang members at a gas station in Newhall; he was one of eight people arrested on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance for sale and participating in a criminal street gang.

He is being held in lieu of $1.3 million bail. If convicted, he faces 27 years in prison.