| For Immediate Release January 31, 2007 |
Contact: Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 |
LANDSCAPER CHARGED WITH MURDER FOR BEATING BOSS ON THE HEAD WITH A PICK AX
NEWPORT BEACH – Charges have been filed against a landscaper for murdering his boss by repeatedly hitting him on the back of the head with a pick ax. Ernesto Hernandez Avalos, 23, Santa Ana, is charged with murder with an enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. He is being held on $1 million bail and faces 16 years to life in prison if convicted. His arraignment date has not been set.
On January 29, 2007, Avalos was working as a landscaper in a residential area in Irvine. When his boss, Woo Park, gave him directions that he didn’t like, Avalos is accused of taking a pick ax and beating Park multiple times on the back of the head. When police arrived, Avalos is accused of going after the officers and attempting to attack them with a shovel.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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