A Marin County jury has convicted an alleged gang chief within the lethal assault on a Novato Excessive Faculty pupil practically seven years in the past.
The jury discovered Edenilson Misael Alfaro responsible of 1 rely of homicide, one rely of tried homicide and two counts of aggravated mayhem. The mayhem cost refers to dismemberment or everlasting disfigurement.
Alfaro, 27, faces a possible sentence of life in jail with out the opportunity of parole.
The decision Wednesday afternoon capped a trial part that began with opening statements on Sept. 30 and included testimony from practically three dozen individuals, together with Alfaro. He acknowledged being on the crime scene however denied personally killing the scholar, Edwin Ramirez Guerra.
The jury acquitted Alfaro of a cost of attempting to rearrange the homicide of an confederate who cooperated with investigators.
“We had an incredible jury,” mentioned Deputy District Lawyer Geoff Iida, the trial prosecutor. “They dedicated over six months of their lives to this case.”
“Nothing could make the victims’ households entire once more, however justice was carried out, and the group is safer now that a high-ranking MS-13 chief has been held accountable for his felony acts,” Iida mentioned.
Alfaro’s lead protection lawyer, Michael Burt, didn't reply to a request for remark.
A second part of the trial began Thursday earlier than Decide Paul Haakenson in Marin County Superior Court docket. The continuing, which will probably be performed and not using a jury, entails allegations of gang participation by Alfaro.
The crimes occurred in Could 2016 on the waterfall close to the top of Fairway Drive in Novato. The prosecution alleged that Alfaro and different defendants lured the victims to the positioning for a gang ambush.
Ramirez Guerra, 17, was repeatedly hacked with a machete — together with seven blows to his head — and apparently bludgeoned with rocks, the prosecution mentioned.
A second sufferer, additionally a 17-year-old Novato Excessive Faculty pupil, was shot within the head and torso. The bullets narrowly missed very important organs, and he feigned dying till he may escape.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Workplace investigated the case, and the prosecution charged eight defendants. Alfaro was the second defendant to go to trial.
Juan Carlos Martinez Henriquez, who was additionally a pupil at Novato Excessive Faculty, was convicted of homicide and different counts in 2021. Martinez Henriquez, now 24, was sentenced to life in jail.
Three different defendants pleaded responsible to being equipment, one other is awaiting trial and one other stays a fugitive. The remaining suspect had his fees dismissed for inadequate proof, however he pleaded responsible to a gang recruitment felony.
Alfaro additionally has pending murder circumstances in Washington state and Maryland.