Board of Parole Hearings Grants Parole to Angela Zuniga Who was Convicted of 2nd Degree Murder of 14-Year-Old Teenager Ricardo Ruiz in 2013

SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on May 18 that on May 3, 2023 the California Board of Parole Hearings granted Youthful Offender parole and a future release date to Angela Zuniga. Ms. Zuniga was 21 years of age at the time of the commission of the murder of 14-year-old Ricardo Ruiz. She then fled to Mexico and was apprehended on a warrant in Mexico in 2014. In 2016, she pleaded guilty to 2nd degree murder in exchange for dismissal of the 1st degree murder charge. On May 17, 2013, at approximately 4:22 p.m., Angela Zuniga, a known Sureño gang member recently released from prison for assault and placed on Post-Community Release Supervision, and her friend approached a group of 5 individuals in front of Jaliscience Taqueria, including the 14-year-old victim, Ricardo Ruiz. Ms. Zuniga asked Ruiz if he “banged.” After short exchange Zuniga then stabbed Ruiz in the left side of his neck with a knife, stating, "King City Trece." King City Trece is a declaration of being a Sureño gang member from King City. Good Samaritans attempted to stop the bleeding and to rush the victim to the local hospital where surgery was performed, but Ruiz died 4 days after the stabbing after being transferred to Stanford Medical Center.

At the May 3, 2023 parole hearing, the victim’s grandmother, mother, siblings and extended family were in attendance and pleaded with the Board of Parole not to release Ricardo’s murderer. The victim’s grandmother told the Board her grandson was very young and had his whole life ahead of him, and that he was a brother, a son, and a grandson, but above all else, a child of God. She begged the Board to keep Zuniga behind bars. The Salinas Chief of Police submitted his written, adamant opposition to Zuniga’s parole.

The Board of Parole found that Ms. Zuniga demonstrated true remorse and credibility. The Board listed her accomplishments in prison and determined she had adequate parole plans. The Board lauded her participation in many programs offered during her second term in prison. Her first term in prison had been replete with violence. The People attended the hearing and opposed release citing minimization of her accountability and responsibility for the crime committed against Ricardo Ruiz. The People questioned the sincerity of Ms. Zuniga’s rehabilitation and her credibility and emphasized the shocking nature of the crime. The People remain concerned at Ms. Zuniga’s lack of insight and true remorse as evidenced by her evolving version of the facts and circumstances surrounding the murder.

Pursuant to her minimum eligible parole date, Ms. Zuniga will be released May 1, 2024, after having then served 9 years, 8 months of a 15 to Life sentence. This was Ms. Zuniga’s first parole hearing.

Comments

Lake San Antonio Closed Due to Large Scale Fish Die Off; Number of Fish Impacted is Increasing and Reason for Die Off Remains Unknown

July 9, 2024- Out of abundance of caution for public health, County of Monterey Parks is closing the Lake San Antonio facility due to a large-scale fish die off from an unknown cause. On July 5, 2024, Parks staff noticed that dead baitfish, mostly shad, began washing up on the shore around Lake San Antonio and immediately contacted California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to report the situation. At that time, the CDFW fisheries biologist stated the fish die off was most likely due to the high temperatures and low dissolved oxygen level in the water and that the situation most likely did not present a risk to the public. Parks staff also contacted the Water Resources Agency (WRA), State Water Resources Control Board and Environmental Health Bureau. Unfortunately, the fish die off has continued with larger species such as bass, catfish, crappie, carp, and trout being impacted. Attached photos include a 3–4-pound bass. CDFW, WRA and EHB are working together to try to determi

Suspect Vehicle in King City Quadruple Homicide on March 3 Has Been Located

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, on behalf of the King City Police Department is informing the community that the suspect vehicle involved in a quadruple homicide that occurred Sunday, March 3 on the 200 block of North Second Street in King City, has been located and recovered. The vehicle was located in an unincorporated area of South Monterey County. The King City Police Department is receiving assistance from multiple local and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation. Based on the nature of this investigation, no further details regarding the recovery of this vehicle are being released at this time. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office and the King City PD are asking the community for their assistance in reporting any information they may know regarding this incident which tragically left 4 people dead and 7 people injured, two with critical injuries. Information can be provided by contacting the following: King City Detective Sergeant Josh Partida 831-3

Attempted Homicide Shooting Incident in King City on September 29

The King City Police Department received a report of gunshots heard in the area of the 600 block of Sycamore Street at around 1 am on Sunday, September 29. While enroute, the King City PD was advised that 2 victims were transported to Mee Memorial Hospital by private vehicle to be treated for gunshot wounds. Upon arrival, officers were told that a single unknown suspect opened the gate to a fenced yard and fired 10 rounds into a crowd attending a party. 2 individuals were struck by the gunfire, after-which the suspect fled on foot. The suspect was described as wearing a dark colored hoodie and pants. The 2 victims are a 16-year-old juvenile male who was shot 3 times and an 18-year-old male who was shot 1 time. Both victims were transported to Natividad Hospital from Mee Memorial and are currently listed in stable condition. Detectives from the King City Police Department are currently working the investigation with assistance from the Greenfield Police Department Crime Scene Unit

KRKC COUNTRY

Search This Blog