A 25-year-old man was convicted His 15-year-old 8-year-old neighbor A Santa Cruz jury has decided to stay in jail for at least two years.
Adrian Jerry Gonzalez pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of Madyson “Maddy” Middleton in the summer of 2015. Gonzalez was initially charged as an adult, but before his case was tried, California passed a law that prohibited the state from 14-prosecution 14-prosecution. and 15-year-old adults.
Under the Senate Act of 1391, Gonzalez will be eligible to be released at the age of 25, which happened last year.
On Wednesday, the jury decided that Gonzalez should continue to be detained. San Francisco Bay Area News Station KTVU-TV. Prosecutors argued that due to the violent nature of Gonzalez’s crime, he posed a risk to the community and should continue to be detained.
After weeks of testimony and evidence expression, the jury began to consider Monday. Gonzalez stood up during the trial, and KTVU reported that he described killing his neighbor.
Prosecutor Tara George told attorney Tara George: “This is a very difficult case, it has an impact on the community and we are still feeling its volatility in a decade.” .” Santa Cruz sentry after verdict Being read. “The work and effort put into everyone who participates in our community to keep us safe is a tireless effort on behalf of our jurors, so we appreciate their service.”
Maddy lives with her mother in an affordable housing for the artist, and was last riding a scooter on the evening of July 26, 2015. Prosecutors described in court documents how Gonzalez brought the girl to his apartment with the promise of ice cream, and then raped and killed her.
Her body was found in a recycling bin in the apartment building after it was reportedly missing. Gonzalez reportedly watched detectives searching in the trash bin, and he was arrested the next day. Police told The Times in 2015.
When the Senate comes into effect in 1391, Gonzalez will be tried to become an adult.
A Santa Cruz Superior Court judge attempted to remove the case from the juvenile court system, deeming the law unconstitutional, but the California Supreme Court upheld the law in 2021.
Shortly thereafter, Gonzalez’s case was sent back to juvenile court, where he pleaded guilty to all charges, including special circumstances murder, one kidnapping and four counts of sexual assault.
