| For Immediate Release Case # 08CF1465
May 15, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN CHARGED WITH 1991 CINCO DE MAYO MURDER OF FAMILY FRIEND TO BE ARRAIGNED AFTER NEW INVESTIGATION OF COLD CASE
SANTA ANA – A man recently charged with murdering a family friend on Cinco de Mayo in 1991 is scheduled to be arraigned today, Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Jesus Guillermo Batiz Rosales, 69, Santa Ana, was charged with one count of murder and a sentencing enhancement allegation for the personal use of a firearm. Rosales is being held on $1 million bail. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in state prison.
On May 5, 1991, Rosales is accused of driving to the victim’s house located on South Franklin Street. Rosales was a friend of 23-year-old Gonzalo Mendoza’s uncle, who also lived at the residence. Rosales is accused of getting into an argument with Mendoza and throwing a punch at the victim. He is accused of driving away and returning 20 minutes later with a 9 mm handgun, firing one shot at the victim and hitting the victim’s chin, and killing him. The defendant is accused of driving away from the scene and fleeing the country, leaving a job he had held for five years.
The Santa Ana Police Cold Case Unit recently began re-investigating the case and requested the filing base on newly developed evidence.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Dan Wagner of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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