Five Year Denial of Parole for 2016 Attempted Murder

On December 16, 2025, via video conference, TCDA prosecutors secured a 5-year denial of parole for Alexander Mendez, age 28, who is serving a life sentence for attempted murder. Mendez is currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison.

At approximately 12:36 am on February 13, 2016, Tulare Police Department officers were dispatched to reports of a stabbing. When officers arrived, they located two adult victims suffering severe stab wounds in an alley. The victims, who were transient, were transported to local medical facilities for treatment.

During the investigation, officers observed several pools of blood, a large kitchen knife covered in blood, and a blood trail leading back to a nearby apartment complex. Officers followed the trail to an apartment where they noticed one of the occupants had blood on her hands and saw blood splatter on the wall. A subsequent search of the apartment yielded bleach and blood covered shirts. The defendant, Mendez, was taken into custody along with a juvenile suspect. Further investigation revealed that Mendez, at the time an active gang member, and the juvenile attacked the victims while shouting gang slogans.

In 2018, Mendez pleaded no contest to premeditated attempted murder with special allegations that the crime caused great bodily injury and that the crime was for the benefit of a criminal street gang. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. While incarcerated, Mendez has committed rules violations including selling and using drugs.

This was Mendez’s first parole hearing. The Office of the District Attorney regularly attends parole hearings and a deputy district attorney argued against the inmate’s release in this case.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Chief Deputy District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494