Parole Denied in 1991 Bar Fight Homicide

On January 31, 2024, via a virtual hearing, TCDA prosecutors secured a 3-year denial of parole for Roman Cortez, age 55. Cortez is currently serving a life sentence at Mule Creek State Prison for murder.

Around 1:30 am the morning of February 17, 1991, Cortez was involved in the beating death of a 22-year-old male in the parking lot of the former Faces Bar on Mooney Boulevard in Visalia. On October 3, 1991, Cortez was convicted by a Tulare County jury of first-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years-to-life in prison.

This was Cortez’s second parole hearing. Commissioners cited a continued propensity for violence and rules violations while incarcerated, and a personal lack of insight into the crime. At his first parole hearing in 2009, Cortez received a 15-year denial.  

The Office of the District Attorney regularly attends life parole hearings to argue against release. In this case, TCDA prosecutors and victim advocates assisted the victim’s family to address parole commissioners about the impact of the crime.

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