Governor Reverses Parole Board’s Decision to Release Murderer
On March 30, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown reversed the decision of a California parole board’srecommended release of convicted murderer Gerardo Zavala, age 46. The Office of the District Attorney strongly objected to Zavala’s release at his most recent parole hearing on November 8, 2017.
On January 24, 2001, Zavala and two others lured a 17-year-old African-American minor to a Delano residence to smoke meth. When they arrived, they went in to the garage where others were waiting. The group jumped the victim while hurling racial epithets and accused him of conspiring to steal their property. Threatening him with an AK-47, the group began to brutally torture him with electrocution from live wires, repeatedly inserted a squeegee handle into his rectum, and beat him with a pipe – all crimes assisted by Zavala. After hours of torture, the victim was bound in duct tape and thrown into a car trunk, taken to a remote road outside Allensworth, and shot 10 times at point-blank range, killing him. The victim was foundwith the words “Pepe’s Bitch” written on his back. Zavala was arrested on January 28, 2001, and confessed to being part of the torture and murder.
Assistant District Attorney David Alavezos prosecuted five of the men involved in the mid 2000’s. Alavezosdescribed the crime scene as “the worst I have ever seen.” Zavala was convicted in 2006 by a jury of second- degree murder, torture, and kidnapping. He was sentenced to 18 years-to-life in prison. Co-defendants Jorge Vidal, Keith Seriales, and Daniel Portugal were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Another co-defendant, Tyrone Ebaniz, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon. Brothers Juan and Gerardo Soto, also involved in the crime, are believed to have fled to Mexico.
“While the governor and I don’t see eye to eye on a number of different issues pertaining to the direction of crime and punishment in our state, I commend him for looking at the facts of this case and the brutality ofthe crimes committed by the defendant and reversing the parole board’s decision,” said District Attorney Tim Ward. “We would also like to thank Crime Victims United and local law enforcement for advocating against his release. The thought of this monster returning to our area is frightening.”
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494
INDETERMINATE SENTENCE PAROLE RELEASE REVIEW
(Penal Code Section 3041.2)
GERARDO ZAVALA, F-53298
Second Degree Murder
AFFIRM: MODIFY: REVERSE:
________________ ________________ _______ X _______
STATEMENT OF FACTS
On January 24, 2001, Gerardo Zavala, Gerardo Soto, and Tyrone Ebaniz invited 17-year-old Eric Jones to smoke methamphetamine When they arrived, they went into the garage where Juan and Daniel Portugal were waiting for them. Mr. Zavala punched Mr. Jones in the face, knocking him to the ground. He and Daniel Portugal then bound Mr. Jones with an electrical cord while Gerardo Soto pointed a .30 caliber AK-47 assault rifle at Mr. Jones. Jorge Vidal and Keith Seriales arrived. Mr. Vidal jumped on Mr. Jones, slammed his head onto the cement floor, and hit him in the face with a pipe. Mr. Vidal
Mr. Mr. Vidal asked Mr. Jones why he tried to steal Mr. Vidal Mr. Jones Mr. Vidal picked up a screwdriver, stabbed Mr. Jones
Mr. Ebaniz and Daniel Portugal used a box cutter to strip the electrical cord and expose the wires. Mr. Vidal taped the wires to Mr. Jones
into a wall outlet, shocking Mr. Jones. Mr. Vidal told Mr. Jones
Mr. Zavala and Mr. Seriales got plastic and duct tape, because Mr. Vidal wanted to cut Mr. Jones
Mr. Ebaniz and Daniel Portugal bound Mr. Jones Mr. Ebaniz and Daniel Portugal used scissors and box cutters to strip off Mr. Jones Mr. Vidal picked up a squeegee
and removed the handle. Mr. Vidal poured motor oil into Mr. Jones
handle into Mr. Jones handle into Mr. Jones Jones
Mr. Ebaniz
Zavala and Mr. Seriales put Mr. Jones
Vidal, Daniel Portugal, Mr. Seriales, Mr. Ebaniz, and Gerardo Soto drove out to a remote road. Mr. Zavala and Mr. Seriales pulled Mr. Jones out of the trunk and threw him onto the ground, still bound and gagged, and with the handle still in his rectum. Mr. Vidal walked up to Mr. Jones, and shot him with a 9 millimeter handgun once in the face, and nine times in the shoulder at point-blank range, killing him. The men drove back to Juan Soto
beer and smoked methamphetamine, then used money they stole from Mr. Jones to purchase
mes. Mr. Ebaniz took the handle, inserted the Mr.
Mr. Jones s back. Mr. Mr. Zavala, Mr.
Gerardo Zavala, F-53298 Second Degree Murder Page 2
more methamphetamine. Mr. Zavala was arrested on January 28, 2001. On the same day, he confessed to Mr. Jones murder.
GOVERNING LAW
The question I must answer is whether Mr. Zavala will pose a current danger to the public if released from prison. The circumstances of the crime can provide evidence of current dangerousness when the record also establishes that – or post-
circumstances of the crime remain probative of current dangerousness. (In re Lawrence (2008) 44 Cal. 4th 1181, 1214.)
DECISION
The Board of Parole Hearings found Mr. Zavala suitable for parole based on the plausibility of his claim of innocence, his remorse, stellar disciplinary record while incarcerated, lack of criminal history, educational and vocational upgrades, increased maturity, and parole plans.
I acknowledge Mr. Zavala has made efforts to improve himself while incarcerated. He has participated in self-help groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Getting Out by Going In and Correcting Destructive Behavior. Mr. Zavala has furthered his education and received a vocational certificate. Mr. Zavala has remained discipline-free throughout his 17 years of incarceration. I commend Mr. Zavala for taking these positive steps. But they are outweighed by negative factors that demonstrate he remains unsuitable for parole.
Mr. Zavala assisted his crime partners in the torture, kidnapping, and shooting of Mr. Jones. After being called racial epithets, beaten with
a pipe, cut, electrocuted, and rammed in the rectum with a squeegee handle, Mr. Jones was thrown into a field where he was shot 10 times at point-blank range, killing him. The callousness and brutality displayed in this murder is unfathomable.
I have serious doubts that Mr. Zavala has been honest and forthcoming about the killing in this confession was extremely detailed, as if he were present while the
crime was being committed. The amount of detail provided suggests Mr. Zavala was far from a passive participant in these crimes. By his own admission, he lured Mr. Jones
house under the promise of getting high. Shortly after arriving, Mr. Zavala punched Mr. Jones and bound him with duct tape. Mr. Jones was then
partners. After Mr. Jones had been tortured for hours, Mr. Zavala shoved Mr. Jones into the trunk of a car, pulled Mr. Jones out of the car, and dropped him on the side of the road. The level of detail in his initial confession also throws doubt on his subsequent recantation. Mr. Zavala now claims he was not present at the scene of the crime, was unaware that a crime was occurring, and was forced by Mr. Seriales to provide a false confession. I am not convinced that
has confronted or addressed what it was that led him to participate in such a terrible crime.
Gerardo Zavala, F-53298 Second Degree Murder Page 3
CONCLUSION
I have considered the evidence in the record that is relevant to whether Mr. Zavala is currently dangerous. When considered as a whole, I find the evidence shows that he currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison. Therefore, I reverse the decision to parole Mr. Zavala.
Decision Date: March 30, 2018 ___________________________________ EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor, State of California