Gang Member Denied Parole for 1998 Murder

At a virtual hearing on February 2, 2023, TCDA prosecutors secured a 3-year denial of parole for Jesus Legaspy, age 41, for the 1998 murder of a 17-year-old. Legaspy is currently serving a life sentence at Folsom State Prison.

Around 2:00 am the morning of June 4, 1998, Legaspy, a known gang member, was walking with a group in Tulare after an evening of partying. Legaspy recognized the house of a rival gang and attempted to steal the radio of a car parked in the driveway. An occupant of the house, the juvenile victim, who was leaving a party at the house, confronted the group and Legaspy drew a .22 revolver and fired multiple shots, hitting the victim in the head and thigh. The victim died a few hours later at a hospital. After his arrest, Legaspy took Tulare Police Department officers to the location where he buried the murder weapon.

In November 1998, Legaspy was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to 35 years-to-life in prison.

This was Legaspy’s first parole hearing. The Office of the District Attorney regularly attends life parole hearings and a supervising 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 Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494