Salinas Valley State Prison Inmates Convicted of Murder of Fellow Inmate

SALINAS, California -- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on January 31

that Salinas Valley Prison Inmates Roberto Carlos Cortez and Juan Jose Bueno, 30, were each

convicted by a jury of First-Degree Murder and Possession of a Weapon. Juan Jose Bueno was also

convicted of Assault by a Life Prisoner. The Honorable Stephanie Hulsey presided over the trial.

Bueno admitted he had previously been convicted of four “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes

Law, including a prior conviction for Murder. Bueno faces a maximum sentence of life in prison,

without the possibility of parole.

Cortez admitted he had previously been convicted of four “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes

Law. Cortez faces a maximum sentence of 75 years to life in prison.

On March 21, 2023, Cortez and Bueno participated in a two on one stabbing of inmate Steven Lovely

during recreational time in the day room. They used weapons to stab Lovely close to 50 times until

he was unresponsive. Despite medical intervention, Lovely died in the hospital five days later. The

entire attack was captured on video.

This case was investigated by the Investigative Services Unit of Salinas Valley State Prison as well

as Monterey County District Attorney Investigator Erik Morris.

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