Visalia Gang Member Convicted of Multiple Murders, Jury Votes for Death Sentence
Today in Department 17 of the Tulare County Superior Court at the South County Justice Center in Porterville, a jury of six men and six women recommended a death sentence for Noel Herrera, age 32, for multiple murders committed from 2010 to 2017.
Herrera, a known gang member with the moniker of “Guilty,” committed his first shooting murder on January 9, 2010. The victim was a 26-year-old male. In a drive by shooting on April 24, 2014, Herrera shot and killed a 25-year-old male. On February 15, 2017, Herrera was again involved in a drive by shooting. No one was injured in this incident. Three days later on February 18, 2017, Herrera shot and killed a 20-year-old male victim. After being stopped by law enforcement the next day for speeding, a search of his vehicle revealed a firearm that eventually led to ballistic evidence linking him to the February 15, 2017 shooting. After a complete investigation, law enforcement and prosecutors filed the entirety of the case against Herrera in March 2018.
All of the crimes took place in the city of Visalia.
On January 18, 2022, a jury began hearing evidence in the criminal phase of the case. On February 3, 2022, the jury found Herrera guilty of three counts of premeditated first-degree murder with special circumstances and allegations that the crimes constituted multiple murders, and that Herrera personally used a firearm. In addition, the jury convicted Herrera of premeditated attempted murder and shooting at an occupied motor vehicle.
In late 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 333, which bifurcates (splits) criminal gang allegations from other crimes in a criminal trial proceeding. In doing so, prosecutors must prove two phases of a case separately – that the crime was committed, followed by a separate trial phase proving a gang affiliation. On February 8, the jury found true the special circumstances that two of the murders were gang related and that the discharge of a firearm was for the benefit of a gang. Penalty phase arguments began on February 10.
Herrera possesses multiple prior felony convictions between 2009 and 2017, including possession of a loaded firearm and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Formal sentencing is scheduled for March 15, 2022, in Superior Court.
“The death penalty exists for depraved murderers such as this. Although I have said before that the death penalty in California is dysfunctional in its application, it is still the law, and the men and women of this office swore an oath to uphold those laws,” said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward. “We appreciate the jury’s commitment to the truth. These three victims along with their families deserve justice.”
The case was prosecuted by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Cindy Underwood and was investigated by Sgt. James Cummings of the Visalia Police Department.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494