| For Immediate Release August 5, 2013 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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OCDA TO OPPOSE PAROLE OF GANG MEMBER CONVICTED IN 1991 STABBING-MURDER OF TEENAGER AT HOUSE PARTY
SANTA ANA – Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas is opposing the parole of a gang member convicted of stabbing and murdering a 16-year-old boy at a house party. Robert Aguirre, 41, is currently being held at Pelican Bay State Prison, Crescent City. Aguirre was sentenced on July 16, 1993, to 16 years to life in state prison after he was found guilty by a jury of second degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the use of a knife. He is scheduled for a parole hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. at the prison before the Board of Parole Hearings, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations. The case was originally prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Mark Sevigny.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Paul Chrisopoulos will appear at the hearing to oppose parole.
Circumstances of the Crime
On the evening of Oct. 15, 1991, the inmate attended a house party in La Habra with approximately 100 other guests, including 16-year-old victim Emanuel Macklin. Aguirre repeatedly questioned the victim about his gang affiliation. The victim continually denied any gang membership.
Aguirre attacked Macklin in the backyard of the residence. Co-defendant Joseph Zielinski held the victim down while Aguirre beat and repeatedly stabbed Macklin. Aguirre murdered the unarmed victim by stabbing him five times in his leg, back, and abdomen..
The victim later died at Long Beach Memorial Hospital after he bled out due to a deep laceration to his liver as a result of a stab wound to his right abdomen.
The La Habra Police Department investigated the case and arrested Aguirre for the murder.
Threat to Public Safety
Since his incarceration, Aguirre has received several prison rules violations including battery of another inmate, battery of another inmate with serious injury, unlawful assembly, and participation in a riot.
Aguirre presents an elevated risk for violence if released into society based on his validated gang affiliation while in prison. The inmate has been serving an indefinite term in solitary confinement due to evidence that he holds a position of power within this gang.