| For Immediate Release Case # 08NF0581 December 5, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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GANG MEMBER CONVICTED OF MURDER FOR STABBING AND BEATING RIVAL WITH BASEBALL BAT
*Defendant uses the moniker “Slugger”
SANTA ANA – A gang member who uses the moniker “Slugger” was convicted today of murder for beating a rival with a baseball bat and stabbing him in the chest. Mark Anthony Figueroa, 31, Fullerton, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of second degree murder, one felony count of street terrorism, and a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity. The defendant has a 2004 prior strike conviction for criminal threats and a 1999 prison prior for felony gang vandalism. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in state prison at his sentencing Jan. 20, 2012, in Department C-45, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
On the night of Nov. 10, 2007, Victor Hernandez and two friends went into a Walgreens in Fullerton. Hernandez was a gang member who had been released from prison 10 days earlier.
As Hernandez and his two friends exited the shop, they were surrounded by a group of four to seven rival gang members, including Figueroa. The defendant and his fellow gang members yelled, cursed, and threatened Hernandez before leading him around the corner to the side of the store. Hernandez’s two friends were able to escape to their car.
Once Hernandez had been isolated, Figueroa, who went by the moniker “Slugger,” walked to a parked car, retrieved a baseball bat, and returned to violently beat the victim. Hernandez was hit repeatedly with the baseball bat by Figueroa and his co-defendants. Figueroa then murdered Hernandez by stabbing him one time. The knife went five inches into the victim’s chest, puncturing his heart.
The defendants then fled the scene. Figueroa was later identified by one of Hernandez’s friends. Figueroa’s co-defendants are still unidentified.
Anyone with additional information regarding the identities of the co-defendants is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Andy Terhorst at (714) 347-8844.
The Fullerton Police Department investigated this case. Senior Deputy District Attorney Colleen Crommett is prosecuting this case.
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