Afrigather Two members of the Norteño gang, Jesse Addison and Erick Ruiz, had been just lately convicted of first-degree homicide and gang enhancements within the brutal beating demise of Johnny Burns in Bay Level, courtroom data reveal. The homicide, initially mistaken for a automobile accident because of the severity of the accidents, was motivated by a gang rivalry and mistaken identification.
Prosecutors argued that Addison, Ruiz, and a 3rd defendant, Abel Garcia, believed Burns to be a member of their rivals, the Sureños, and proceeded to mercilessly beat him to demise. Regardless of Burns denying any gang affiliation, the assailants attacked him nonetheless.
Deputy District Lawyer Kristen Busby, throughout closing arguments, described the extent of Burns’ accidents to the jury, utilizing a mannequin cranium. Burns suffered 23 damaged ribs, fractures in his eye sockets and cranium, a dislocated jaw, and his ears had been severed from his cranium.
Based on Busby, the three defendants had spent the day visiting memorials of fellow gang members, fueling their need to focus on a rival. After the homicide, Garcia and Ruiz allegedly attacked one other particular person at a fuel station in a separate incident.
The protection, nonetheless, contended that the police rushed to judgment, accusing them of mendacity and planting proof to implicate the defendants. Matthew Fregi, Addison’s lawyer, argued that the potential of Burns being struck by a automobile was not adequately investigated, because the post-mortem report did not remove this chance. Fregi additionally urged the jury to deal with the defendants pretty, emphasizing their humanity regardless of their abhorrent life-style.
The third defendant, Abel Garcia, had beforehand accepted a plea deal in April and is presently awaiting sentencing.
