2 months ago
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TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - In Tulare County, a second-degree execution fishy was granted clemency by Governor Gavin Newsom. Richard Garcia was recovered blameworthy of taking portion successful the execution of 18-year-old Arturo Bello successful 2009.
Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux are not pleased with Newsom's decision. DA Ward says Newson's medication does not prioritize the victims of crime. Whereas, Sheriff Boudreaux says it sends a atrocious connection to convulsive criminals that the politician is brushed connected crime.
"You can't get astir the information that this suspect and his co-defendants virtually went hunting for quality beings," Ward claimed.
According to the Tulare County DA's Office, the evening of Aug. 28, 2009, Richard Garcia and 3 different Norteño pack members were drinking and mourning the nonaccomplishment of a comparative who was killed by a rival Sureño pack member.
In a connection to a Tulare County detective, different suspect, identified arsenic Rodney Zayas, said that the radical should spell retired and look for a rival pack member. When driving done Orosi, constabulary accidental the radical recovered 2 men successful bluish walking on the sidewalk, who Zayas claimed were Sureño members.
"The unfortunate mislaid their beingness arsenic a effect of the shooting, and we were capable to seizure each 4 of the suspects progressive successful this lawsuit astatine that time," Boudreaux shared.
Police identified Zayas arsenic the gunman who changeable and killed 18-year-old Arturo Bello, who was allegedly not armed. Garcia was sentenced to 40 years to life and has filed 3 petitions for re-sentencing, which person all been denied.
Back successful 2023, Garcia past filed for clemency.
"It's much of a slap successful the look to the victim's family, whose lad was changeable successful the look and died successful a excavation of humor connected a thoroughfare for nary different crushed than these radical had an contented with the colour of covering that helium was wearing," Ward explained.
In July of 2023, Ward sent a missive to Newsom's office, asking that Garcia's clemency beryllium denied, stating, "Garcia acted with a full disregard for quality life." Almost 2 years later, Newsom granted Garcia clemency last Friday, making him eligible for a parole hearing.
In the enforcement clemency, it states that successful prison, Garcia has maintained an "excellent disciplinary record," participated successful self-help programs, and works arsenic an assistance serving different incarcerated radical with disabilities.
Sheriff Boudreaux, however, says Garcia has proven that helium is simply a menace to society.
"I deliberation that his past shows that he's a imaginable information to the community. And that's what we person to clasp to," helium said.
You tin taxable your enactment oregon absorption regarding Garcia's release to the California Board of Parole Hearings. You tin click here to taxable a letter.
