OCEANSIDE — Two teens accused of killing Oceanside police Officer Dan Bessant were back in court Aug. 7 to dispute the allegations against them.

After a half day of listening to arguments from attorneys on both sides, Judge William S. Dato denied Meki Gaono, 19, and Penifoti “CJ” Taeotui, 18, motions to have their charges dismissed.

In upholding Judge Runston Maino’s ruling at the preliminary hearing in March, Dato said there was sufficient evidence to show that Gaono’s Miranda rights were not violated by police and that statements made by Taeotui just prior to the shooting encouraged the killing.

Gaono and Taeotui, both reputed gang members, are charged with the murder of Bessant, as well as two counts of assault relating to another Oceanside police officer and a ridealong witness who were also on the scene.

Bessant, 26, was fatally shot on the evening of Dec. 20, 2006, after he responded to a call to assist another officer on a traffic stop at Gold Drive and Arthur Avenue near the back gate area of Camp Pendleton.

The prosecution alleges Gaono used a .22-caliber rifle with a scope to fatally shoot Bessant, while Taeotui fired a .22-caliber revolver in the direction of the officers.

If convicted, the prosecution won’t be able to seek the death penalty since Gaono and Taeotui were both underage at the time of the killing.

Both men remain in custody on $5 million bail. They are scheduled to be back in court Aug. 18 for a pretrial motions hearing.