Capital and Murder Case Summaries

Olvera, J. Fresno County 1993-1994

23 year old Mexican male charged with four killings of Mexican males on two different incidents, and other offenses. A capital
case. Uncooperative client. Multiple evaluations required (seven). Competency, insanity, cultural issues. Socio-cultural
investigation performed in his native state in Mexico. Court testimony. Outcome: LWOP.



DeHoyos, R. L. Orange County 1989-1993

A Mexican-American male charged with a capital offense of kidnapping, raping and murdering a 9 year old Mexican female. A
very notorious case, high publicity present through the two trials. In the first trial, he was given the death sentence by the jury,
but the sentence was set aside by the judge, a new trial ordered. Very involved case, over twenty-five interviews of the
defendant over a four-year period. Multiple court testimonies, including insanity hearings, guilt phase and penalty phase.
Psychiatric issues, Organic Brain Syndrome, cultural issues. A very dramatic socio-cultural history was obtained, encompassing
four countries, several wives and common-law wives, an escape from maximum security in Texas, a voluntary return from the
Mexican border. Field trip to San Antonio, Texas and interview of several Panamanian witnesses. Witness preparation.
Coordination of psychiatric and neurological investigation. Outcome death sentence. DeHoyos is in San Quentin on death row
going through the appeal processes.



Delgadillo, F. H. San Joaquin County 1995

A 33 year old Mexican male initially charged with a capital offense, the murder of two Mexican nationals. He left the U.S.A. and
voluntarily returned from Mexico to claim self-defense. Borderline mentally retarded, cultural issues, family clan issues.
Manipulated confession. Court testimony.



Zaragosa, O. Fresno County 1990

Mexican male charged with capital murder and kidnapping of a Mexican male who he thought to be responsible for the murder of
one of Mr. Zaragosa's aunts and the kidnapping and rape of another aunt. Cultural issues. Family honor. Competency and
insanity issues.



Alvarado, J. E. San Diego County 1994

Mexican male, son of a reputed Baja California "Don," co-defendant of an execution-style murder of a husband and wife, drug
dealers. A capital offense. An eventful psychosocial history obtained in Baja California, Mexico. Outcome: LWOP in a plea
bargain.



Velez, L. Sacramento County 1992

A Puerto Rican male charged with capital offense in the shooting death of an armored truck guard, and robbery. Cultural issues,
psychosocial investigation, mitigation issues.



Sixto, F. E. Kern County 1990-1991

A Mexican male originally sentenced to death in 1981 for the kidnapping, lascivious conduct and murder of a 5 year old boy. He
spent almost ten years in San Quentin on death row. Sentence was overturned on appeal and second trial in 1991. Psychiatric
issues, Organic Brain Damage, mentally retarded. Court testimony. Outcome: LWOP.



Garnica, J.Ventura County

A Guatemalan male originally charged with a capital offense, the murder of another Guatemalan male with special circumstances,
for profit. A fascinating psychosocial investigation in a "non-recommended area" of Guatemala (because of the guerrilla activity
at the time) helped to construct a psychological autopsy of the victim, a former "mano blanca" (a government murder squad)
with allegedly thirty-five killings to his name. The claim of self-defense by Mr. Garnica was substantiated. Outcome: voluntary
manslaughter, three years.



Estrada, R. San Bernardino County 1990-1993

A 17 year old "marielito" Cuban charged with murder, robbery, kidnapping and gang rape. The victims were three white women,
a 15 year old girl was raped and murdered by a co-defendant. A high notoriety case. Outraged community. Estrada has a long
history of psychiatric illness in Cuba, forced by Castro into boats departing for Key West, Florida. Attempts were made to
conduct a socio-cultural investigation in Cuba, but the Castro government refused entry visas. Multiple interviews of the
defendant. Mild Mentally Retarded, illiterate, schizophrenic, with frontal lobe injury. Court testimonies.



Cruz, T. V. Shasta County 1992-1994

A 23 year old Mexican Indian charged with first degree murder of a white policeman, a capital offense. High publicity case.
Venue was changed to Sonoma County. Socio-cultural investigation in Mexico, cultural issues. Racism. Preparation of
witnesses. Court testimony. Outcome: death sentence. Appeals in process.



Soto, M. Fresno County 1992

A 20 year old Mexican-American male charged with three murders and one attempted murder. He claimed self-defense. Drugs
involved. Cultural issues, machismo, respect, jealousy.



Navarro, R. Orange County 1990

This Mexican teenager was 17 years of age at the time of the crime. He was charged with felony murder with special
circumstances, a death penalty case. After four years and several attorneys, the trial ended with a hung jury. Death penalty was
dropped. Cultural issues, identification issues, gang involvement, learning disabilities.



Guerra, J. F. Los Angeles County 1992-1993

This 33 year old Guatemalan male was charged with felony murder of a white woman with special circumstances. To date, Mr.
Guerra always has denied, insisting that he was framed. He claims to be a good samaritan who tried to help the dying woman.
Psychological profile. Cultural issues. Court testimony. Outcome: life. Appealing.



Arzate, D. San Mateo County 1997

Mexican national charged with first degree murder with special circumstances, drug-related, execution style. Escaped to Mexico,
but returned voluntarily. Cultural issues.



Cauchi, R. Los Angeles County 1997

A Peruvian male charged with torture-murder of a young girl in his care. Capital offense. Cultural issues. Alleged connections
with a military torture unit back in Guatemala. Denied. Extensive socio-cultural investigation with twenty family members and
Peruvian nationals interviewed. Torture background refuted.



Castaneda, R.San Mateo County 

Mexican male charged with murder, execution-style, and other special circumstances. Capital offense. Drugs were involved.
Borderline Mentally Retarded, cultural issues. Court testimony. Death penalty was dropped. Outcome: 25 years to life.



Duran, M. Orange County 1993

A Salvadorian male arrested in Virginia and extradited to Orange County five years after allegedly killing a Nicaraguan male.
Originally a death penalty case. Culture issues, competency, identity issues.



Garcia, J. A. Orange County 1992

A 19 year old Mexican male was initially charged with trespassing and rape of a 79 year old woman. He faced the death penalty
when the woman died, allegedly of the injuries suffered in the sexual assault. Disputed cause of death. Felony murder charge
dropped. Plea bargaining. Psychological and cultural issues.



Hernandez, M. Fresno County 1992-1996

Mexican male charged with murder and rape of two woman and attempted murder and rape of another one who survived and
identified him. Paranoic-schizophrenic, cultural issues, diabolic rights, identity issues. Elaborate psychosocial investigation,
including a trip to rural Oaxaca, Mexico accompanied by one of the attorneys and an anthropologist, Dr. Gail McGarrity. First trial
was postponed when defendant attacked his attorney in court. Outcome: LWOP.



Andrew, J. W. Fresno County 1995

A 21 year old Caucasian male faced death penalty for the felony murder of his lover's husband. Special circumstances,
conspiracy, lying in waiting, and financial gain. A Below-Average IQ, functioning marginally in society and was easily
manipulated by co-conspirators. Death penalty dropped.



Grajeda, J. Solano County 1996

A Bolivian teenager charged with killing of a young male and his grandmother. Special circumstances: double murder, robbery,
breaking and entering. Cultural issues. Respect. Rage. Death penalty dropped. Plea bargain.



Castillo, J. San Joaquin County 1995

This Hispanic black male claimed to be Mexican until confronted by Dr. LaCalle, who became aware of his Hispanic verbal
expressions common to the Caribbean area and not to Mexico. He admitted being from Honduras. Cultural issues, identity,
competency, psychiatric issues. He has been charged with a murder of a black woman with special circumstances, a death
penalty charge. Death penalty was dropped.



Le, T. N. Orange County 1995

A Vietnamese charged with killing his wife and his mother-in-law. Cultural issues. Consultant to the Vietnamese defense
psychologist.



Cercas, M. P. Orange County 1994

A 17 year old Mexican teenager, Borderline Mentally Retarded, charged with the killing of a rival gang member. Cultural issues,
drugs and alcohol, gang affiliation. Plea bargaining, four years in youth camp.



Navarro, J. L. Ventura County 1990

A 17 year old Mexican minor who allegedly was sexually assaulted by a homosexual suitor and Navarro killed him. Cultural
issues, Hispanic attitude toward homosexuality. Plea bargain, voluntary manslaughter.



Segovia, R. San Bernardino County 1997

A 14 year old Mexican-American charged with first degree murder. Minor was manipulated by older gang members to fire the
shot that killed a rival gang member. Cultural issues, gang affiliation, social maturity.



Arballo, J. F. San Francisco County 1996

A 17 year old Mexican minor tried as an adult in a first degree murder with special circumstances of a white, gay male, in San
Francisco. Cultural issues. Sexual attitudes of the Hispanics, identity, socio-cultural investigation. First trial ended in mistrial,
outcome of the second trial: unknown.



Garcia, J. C. Contra Costa County 1995

A 17 year old Mexican minor charged with first degree murder with special circumstances of a minor female. Cultural issues,
satanic rituals, necrophilia, psychopathic ritual killer with murder delusions. Extensive socio-cultural investigation, including
criminal and psychiatric records from Mexico. Court testimony. Guilty of first degree murder. 



Jimenez, F. Ventura County 1991-1992

A Mexican female of approximately 21 years of age (no birth records) charged with premeditated murder of her newborn baby,
delivered in a chemical field restroom. A high publicity case, emotional issues clouding reality. Multiple interviews (five).
Cultural issues, extensive socio-cultural investigation. Borderline Mentally Retarded or organic etiology.
Manipulated confession. 
Court testimonies.



Sanchez, T. Orange County 1997

A 22 year old Mexican female who was allegedly raped and became pregnant. She was charged with premeditated murder of her
newborn baby, disposed of in a trash can. Defendant claimed miscarriage. Cultural issues, socio-attitudes, incest innuendoes,
traumatic family history.



Arroyo, H. Orange County 1990

A 21 year old Mexican male charged with first degree murder with special circumstances of an Indian male in the restaurant
belonging to the victim. Arroyo claimed self-defense. Cultural issues, alcohol. Psychosocial history, family was contacted in
Mexico. Plea bargaining.



Bustamante, D. R. Mendocino County 1991

An illiterate Mexican male accused of first degree murder with special circumstances, in the killing of his half-brother known to
be a violent person. Bustamante claimed self-defense. Miranda, cultural issues, attitude toward police, questionable confession,
and psychological autopsy of the victim. Court testimony. Found not guilty and released.



Rodriguez, T.Santa Barbara County 1992

A 19 year old Mexican-American charged with a murder in a brawl outside a bar. Cultural issues, Miranda, questionable
confession.



Martinez, N. San Bernardino County 1992

Mexican-American charged with first degree murder of his wife. Martinez joined a Fundamentalist Church and the pastor sent
him to Mexico as a missionary while the pastor moved in with Mr. Martinez' wife. Upon his return, wife kept up affair with pastor.
Martinez killed her. Cultural issues, passion, betrayal, family honor. Plea bargaining, voluntary manslaughter.



Ramos, J. C. Orange County 1992

A 20 year old Mexican male co-defendant in a felony murder with robbery and drugs. Arrested a month later for unrelated crime,
deported to Mexico, he voluntarily returned "to pay his dues." Psychological evaluation, cultural issues, family honor,
psychosocial history.



Ramirez, J. San Bernardino County 1991

Mexican-American male charged with killing his unfaithful wife. Discharged five bullets into her body in the presence of their
children. Cultural issues, passion, respect. Plea bargain, voluntary manslaughter.



Hernandez, R. Ventura County 1991

A 21 year old Mexican-American killed one of his attackers at the doorsteps of his house. Cultural issues, family respect, gang
issues.



Torres, R. C. Orange County 1992

Mexican male kills his unfaithful wife. Cultural issues, acculturation, passion, spousal abuse.



Baltasar, J. Orange County 1993

A 21 year old Mexican, illiterate, Mild Mental Retardation, charged with first degree murder of another Mexican male outside a
bar. Baltasar denied the shooting. Contradictory testimony of witnesses. Cultural issues, IQ, competency, ability to form criminal
intention, Miranda, false and manipulated confession. Court testimony. Outcome: life.



Mendez, M. San Francisco County 1994

Mexican male stabbed a black male to death in a drug-related dispute. Cultural issues, attitude toward blacks, drug addiction.



Gonzalez, A. F. San Bernardino County 1993

Mexican male already serving a twenty-six year to life sentence was accused of second murder of a female drug addict he picked
up in a bar (prior to incarceration). No apparent motive for the killing ever found. Cultural issues, psychiatric issues.



Navarro, G. R. Los Angeles County 1993

A 20 year old Mexican male charged with first degree murder of another Mexican outside a nightclub. Claimed self-defense.
Cultural issues. Plea bargain, voluntary manslaughter.



Rico, F. San Bernardino County 1993

Mexican male kills the alleged lover of his wife. Functional illiterate, brain damage. Psychiatric issues, insanity issue, Miranda.
Court testimony.



Vazquez, J. San Joaquin County 1997

Mentally retarded Mexican accused of the stabbing death of another Mexican male. Given his low IQ of 58, he could not provide
adequate defense. Manipulated confession. Miranda. Case was dismissed. Recently, the actual killer was captured.



Perez, H. San Joaquin County 1996

Mexican male, intimidated into confessing a murder he did not commit. Miranda issue. Psychosocial investigation. Case
dismissed.



Vazquez-Lara, J.A. Tulare County 1997

Mr. Vazquez was charged with first degree murder of his wife in 1979. He escaped to Mexico and, almost twenty years later, he
returned to the United States voluntarily to "pay his dues." Cultural issues, mental disorder, paranoic delusions, religious
delusional system, extensive socio-cultural investigation in Mexico. Court testimony. Convicted second degree murder.



Alcantar, J. Los Angeles County 1994

A homeless Mexican male charged with killing his common-law wife, also homeless, and a white homeless gay male. Denied both
killings. Cultural issues, attitude toward gays, Miranda, manipulated confession from a Borderline Mentally Retarded subject.
Court testimony.



Garibaldi, M. Ventura County 1995

Mexican male, heavy drinker, kills roommate. Cultural issues, unconscious defense, amnesia, court testimony.



Claudio, J.San Barbara County 1994

Borderline Mentally Retarded Mexican, co-defendant in a murder case. Cultural issues, Miranda, manipulated confession. Taking
the blame for "smarter" co-defendant.



Giraud, C. Orange County 

An 83 year old Puerto Rican male killed another elderly person in a nursing home. Socio-cultural history, competency, dementia.



Gutierrez, G. Riverside County 1995

A 20 year old Mexican male charged with felony murder of another Mexican male outside a bar. Borderline Mentally Retarded,
intoxicated, Miranda issue, premeditation, cultural issues regarding gun use. Plea bargain, voluntary manslaughter.



Ceja, E. Stanislaus County 1995

A 21 year old Mexican charged with two felony murders, a month apart, outside a bar. Socio-cultural history shows extremely
violent environment back home. Cultural issues, Miranda, manipulated confession.



Guzman, M. San Mateo County 1996

A 19 year old Mexican male charged with killing his 16 year old white girlfriend, mother of his child. Cultural issues, male
dominance, obsession, passion, rejection. Court testimony.



Contreras, A. Ventura County 1996

Mexican teenager, co-defendant in a felony murder during a crime spree with alleged gang members. Cultural issues, gang
issues, acculturation and self-identity issues.



Guardado, F. Los Angeles County 1996

A 20 year old Mexican-American charged with second degree murder. Cultural issues, Chicanos vs. Mexican nationals, gang
issues.



Echeverria, E. Orange County 1995

Mexican-American charged with voluntary manslaughter. Clean history, kills co-worker who, in an apparent suicidal mood,
provoked him. Psychosocial history, psychological profile, court testimony.



Cervantes, V. Ventura County 1992

A 30 year old Mexican female originally charged with the murder of her infant daughter. Cultural issues, psychological issues.



Luna-Lewis, T. Orange County 1983

A 62 year old Mexican male of American father, charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder.
Psychiatric issues, mental competency, insanity.



Saavedra, F. Orange County 1984

Mexican male, unknown age, probably high 60s or 70s, claimed to have been in the Bracero Program during WWII. Charged with
one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. Cultural issues, family respect, psychiatric issues, competency,
alcohol.



Romero, L. Orange County 1996

A 33 year old Mexican charged with the beating death of a paroled felon. Alcohol-induced amnesia. Cultural issues, manipulated
confession, Miranda issues.







e-mail: jlacalle@sonic.net
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mail: P.O. Box 518, Sebastopol, Ca. 95472