Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: murder

Santa Ana teen faces adult murder charges after shooting and killing another teen

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CF1683

Date: June 28, 2016

TEENAGER ARRESTED AND CHARGED AS ADULT IN SHOOTING MURDER OF ANOTHER TEEN IN SANTA ANA HOME

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A teenager was arrested and charged as an adult today with the shooting murder of another teen in a Santa Ana home. Angel Alexis Hernandez, 17, Santa Ana, was direct filed as an adult and is charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement allegation for the intentional discharge of a firearm. If convicted, Hernandez faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison. The People will be requesting that the defendant be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment scheduled on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

On Monday, June 27, 2016, Hernandez and 19-year-old Jesus Leon were both inside of a home in the 1000 block of West 2nd Street in Santa Ana. Continue reading→

The CA Supreme Court confirms the death penalty conviction of an O.C. murderer

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYPRESS RELEASE

Case # 94CF0821

Date: June 27, 2016

SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA UNANIMOUSLY AFFIRMS CONVICTION AND DEATH PENALTY SENTENCE FOR MAN CONVICTED OF TWO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES MURDER

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Supreme Court of California unanimously affirmed the conviction and death penalty sentence today for William Clinton Clark, who was found guilty by a jury on May 21, 1996, of two felony counts of murder with special circumstances for committing a murder during a burglary, while in the attempted commission of a robbery, murder of a witness for the purpose of preventing testimony in a criminal proceeding, murder while lying in wait, and multiple murders, one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder, one felony count of second degree burglary, three felony counts of attempted second degree robbery, and sentencing enhancements for use of a dangerous or deadly weapon and serving five prior prison terms.

The court today affirmed the conviction for all counts, including both counts of murder, and also affirmed the special circumstance findings concerning multiple murder, murder while lying in wait, and murder for the purpose of preventing testimony. The court also vacated the special circumstance allegations for committing a murder during a burglary and murder in the attempted commission of a robbery. Continue reading→

Third-striker gangbanger charged with murdering a Santa Ana father on Father’s Day

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CF1629

Date: June 22, 2016

THIRD-STRIKER GANG MEMBER PAROLEE CHARGED WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SHOOTING-MURDER OF INNOCENT BYSTANDER FATHER ON FATHER’S DAY

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A third-striker criminal street gang member parolee was charged today with special circumstances murder of an innocent bystander father on Father’s Day. Jose De Jesus Gomez-Ochoa, 30, Tustin, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder for criminal street gang purpose, one felony count of unlawful possession of a firearm, and sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death, criminal street gang activity, the personal use of a firearm, and prior strike convictions for participation in a criminal street gang in 2011 and 2012, and criminal street gang member in possession of a firearm in 2012. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without parole. The defendant is being held without bail and is scheduled for a continued arraignment on July 15, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Man charged with killing his ex girlfriend’s boyfriend and stabbing/kidnapping her

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CF1619

Date: June 21, 2016

FORMER BOYFRIEND TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR STABBING-MURDER OF MAN AND KIDNAPPING AND STABBING EX-GIRLFRIEND

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former boyfriend is scheduled to be arraigned today for stabbing and murdering a man and kidnapping and stabbing his ex-girlfriend. Teodoro Bernal Nunez, 38, Los Angeles, is charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of domestic battery causing injury with a prior conviction of domestic battery causing injury (Case #15CM12210), one felony count of kidnapping, one misdemeanor count of violation of a protective order, and sentencing enhancements for personal use of a deadly weapon, and great bodily injury involving domestic violence. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 41 years and four months to life in state prison. The People will request Nunez be held without bail at his arraignment today, June 21, 2016, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

Santa Ana food truck owner shot and killed by gang members

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Homicide Detectives Request Public’s Assistance In Identifying Suspects Involved In Homicide – Reward Offered

On 6/19/16, at 19:19 hours, officers were dispatched to 1700 S. Evergreen regarding a shooting with a male victim down. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, Eliu Armando Gramajo (52 years old), suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. Medics arrived and transported Gramajo to an area hospital where he died from his injuries. Continue reading→

Man convicted of shooting a man and trying to murder two women, in DTSA

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14CF2681

Date: June 14, 2016

DEFENDANT CONVICTED OF SHOOTING AND MURDERING ONE MAN AND ATTEMPTED MURDER OF TWO WOMEN

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Garden Grove man was convicted today of shooting and murdering a man and attempting to murder two women in Santa Ana. Dustin Sean Ross McDonald, 24, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of first degree murder, two felony counts of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, and sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death or great bodily injury. He faces a maximum sentence of 114 years to life in state prison at his sentencing Aug. 26, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center Santa Ana.

On Aug. 12, 2014, McDonald arranged to meet with the three victims in Santa Ana for a drug transaction. At approximately 11:30 p.m. that night, the defendant drove up to the victim’s vehicle in the area of 12th Street and Main Street, stepped out of his vehicle, walked around to the front passenger side of the victims’ vehicle while armed with a firearm, and fired approximately 10 shots. McDonald murdered the front passenger, 23-year-old Aaron Chavez, and wounded both the 21-year-old female driver of the vehicle and the 28-year-old female passenger. Continue reading→

Santa Ana gang member gets 50 to life for shooting and killing another gang member

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 13CF2496

Date: May 26, 2016

GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SHOOTING MURDER OF FELLOW GANG MEMBER AND TAKING VICTIM’S BIKE TO FLEE THE SCENE

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A criminal street gang member was sentenced today to 50 years to life in state prison for the shooting murder of a fellow gang member and taking the victim’s bike to flee the scene. Daniel Alvarez, 22, Orange, was found guilty by a jury on Sept. 23, 2015, of one felony count of murder and one felony count of possession of a firearm by a probationer with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death.

At the time of the crime, Alvarez and the victim, 18-year-old Bruno Ugalde, were members of the same criminal street gang. Alvarez was on formal probation. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man convicted of 1995 cold case kidnapping and stabbing-murder of Gonzalo Ramirez

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 13ZF0162/12CF3070

Date: May 23, 2016

MAN CONVICTED OF 1995 COLD CASE KIDNAPPING AND STABBING-MURDER OF MAN

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was convicted today for his role in the 1995 cold case kidnapping and stabbing-murder of a man. Shannon Ray Gries, 45, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty today, May 23, 2016, to one count of felony-murder for murder during the commission of kidnapping.

Co-defendant Diane Tran, 47, Costa Mesa, pleaded guilty on Jan. 24, 2014, to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter with a sentencing enhancement for being armed with a firearm in the commission of a felony. Continue reading→

Man charged with shooting a man and wounding two women in Santa Ana

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14CF2681

Date: May 20, 2016

DEFENDANT TO FACE TRIAL FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SHOOTING-MURDER OF ONE MAN AND INJURING TWO WOMEN

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Garden Grove man will face trial Monday for the special circumstances shooting-murder of a man and attempted murder of two women in Santa Ana. Dustin Sean Ross McDonald, 24, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder by lying in wait, and two felony counts of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation. He also faces sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death or great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Opening statements are scheduled to begin Monday, May 23, 2016, in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

Suspect arrested in the stabbing murder of Bryan Torres at a party in Santa Ana

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Arrest Suspect In Homicide Case Looking For Additional Witnesses To Come Forward

Arrested: Nicholas James Tadlock (22)

Victim: Bryan Alberto Torres (19)

On Saturday, 04-09-16, at approximately 0335 hours, officers were dispatched to 2837 W. Edinger, reference a stabbing that occurred. When officers arrived, they located Bryan Alberto Torres, suffering from several stab wounds to the upper torso. OCFA paramedics responded and Torres was subsequently transported to UCI Medical Center where he later died. Continue reading→

Santa Ana third striker charged with the shooting murder of a Tustin MMA gym owner

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CF0804

Date: March 28, 2016

THIRD STRIKER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR THE SHOOTING MURDER OF MMA GYM OWNER IN TUSTIN

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A third striker is scheduled to be arraigned today for the shooting murder of a mixed martial arts (MMA) gym owner in Tustin. Kirk Vernell Price, 53, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder and one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon, with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death, and three prior strike convictions for robbery with the use of a firearm in 1983 in Orange County. If convicted, Price faces a maximum sentence of 100 years to life in state prison. Price is scheduled to be arraigned today, March 28, 2016, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

Unidentified man killed last night at the Santa Ana Riverbed

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While most of us were wrapping up our Easter Sunday, someone was shooting a 41-year-old man, fatally, at the Santa Ana riverbed, just east of Edna Park, at around 9:36 p.m., according to the O.C. Register.

The shooting occurred at the 2100 block of Edna Drive. SAPD police officers who responded found the victim with gunshot wounds in his upper torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene by OCFA paramedics. Continue reading→

25-year-old woman killed in a gang shooting near St. Joseph Church in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Gangs, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Vanessa Elizabeth Rodriguez, a 25-year-old woman, was killed late Wednesday night in a gang-related shooting inside a residential garage behind a Catholic church the west alley of the 700 block of North Lacy Street, according to the O.C. Register.

The SAPD said that two suspects entered an alley, pulled open a garage door and began shooting at the three people inside, hitting all of them, according to ABC News.

The victim was shot inside a single-car garage that had been converted into a living space , at around 11:30 p.m. Continue reading→

Two serial rapists/murderers who targeted Santa Ana women facing the death penalty

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14ZF0337

Date: March 15, 2016

OCDA TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY AGAINST REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER FOR SPECIAL-CIRCUMSTANCES MURDER OF FOUR WOMEN AFTER KIDNAPPING AND RAPING THE VICTIMS

*Co-defendant also facing the death penalty

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas announced today that he will seek the death penalty against a registered sex offender for the special-circumstances murder of four women after kidnapping and raping the victims. Franc Cano, 29, Anaheim, was indicted by the grand jury on Oct. 2, 2014, and is charged with four felony counts of special circumstances murder and four felony counts of forcible rape. The special circumstance sentencing enhancements are for murder during the commission of rape, multiple murders, lying in wait, and kidnapping.

Prior to seeking the death penalty against Cano, a special circumstances committee consisting of the District Attorney, the Senior Assistant and Assistant District Attorney in charge of the Homicide Unit, and other prosecutors experienced in capital cases met and discussed the nature of the crime, the vulnerability of the victims, the defendant’s criminal record, and other factors. The committee also considered mitigating circumstances presented by the defense attorney. Continue reading→

Juan Angel Rivera charged with stabbing-murder of Nathan Alfaro at Underground DTSA

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CF0605

Date: March 8, 2016

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR STABBING-MURDER OF CONCERT ATTENDEE DURING LIVE PERFORMANCE

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man is expected to be arraigned today for stabbing and murdering a concert attendee in Santa Ana during a live performance. Juan Angel Rivera, 21, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison. The People will request he be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment expected this afternoon in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

On the evening of March 3, 2016, Rivera is accused of attending a performance at Underground DTSA in Santa Ana where a band was performing. At approximately 10:30 p.m. as a band was performing, the defendant is accused of getting into a confrontation with 23-year-old Nathan Alfaro. During the confrontation, Rivera is accused of pulling out a knife and stabbing Alfaro multiple times in the torso. Rivera is accused of leaving the venue with several other people. The victim was transported to University of California, Irvine Medical Center where he died as a result of the multiple stab wounds. Continue reading→