A 19-year-old Riverside man who allegedly stabbed a transient to death in an apparent unprovoked attack last year was ordered today to stand trial on a first-degree murder charge.

Francisco Javier Hernandez allegedly killed 47-year-old Gary Kent Searles in a vacant lot next to a church near the intersection of 12th Street and Park Avenue in Riverside last Nov. 27, according to investigators.

Riverside Superior Court Judge Robert W. Armstrong ruled there was sufficient evidence to try the defendant for first-degree murder. He also faces several sentence-enhancing allegations involving use of a deadly weapon.

Among the witnesses called during the preliminary hearing was a friend of the victim, who was walking with the homeless man away from the church when Hernandez allegedly attacked him.

The witness testified that Hernandez came up behind Searles and punched him in the back of the head several times, causing the victim to fall down, according to Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Amy Barajas, who asked that the friend not be identified out of concern for his safety.

Hernandez began to leave the scene, the witness testified, but then turned around and jumped onto Searles, punching him in the chest.

``He later found out the defendant was actually stabbing Mr. Searles,'' Barajas said.

Riverside police Detective James Brandt testified that Hernandez's brother told authorities he witnessed the entire attack.

Hernandez was arrested without incident a few days later.

Barajas said a motive for the deadly assault has not been identified.

Hernandez's attorney, Jeff Van Wagenen, could not be reached for comment.

Hernandez is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside pending arraignment on Oct. 17.