Judge sentences Watsonville men in 2004 Santa Cruz gang shooting

By Jennifer Squires
Posted: 08/19/2009 01:30:34 AM PDT
Santa Cruz Sentinel

SANTA CRUZ — Two Watsonville men will likely spend life in prison for their roles in a gang-related murder and robbery in downtown Santa Cruz nearly five years ago.

In April, jury found gang members Francisco Valenciano, 29, and Juan Soto, 25, guilty of murdering Rodolfo Escobar, a Salvadoran immigrant living in Santa Cruz. Escobar, 29, was shot July 25, 2004, while playing poker in the driveway of a Spruce Street apartment building.

Judge Jeff Almquist sentenced the two men Tuesday morning to 84 years to life in prison. “This is the sentence that the court is required to give by law,” prosecutor Rob Wade said after the hearing Tuesday. “They’ll never get out.”

Members of both men’s families attended and said goodbye, but no one made a statement to the court on behalf of Valenciano, Soto or Escobar, the victim. Wade said none of Escobar’s relatives, most of whom live in El Salvador, attended the hearing.

Escobar was shot at close range with a shotgun when he refused to hand over $20. The robbery netted about $140, prosecutors said.

Jurors deliberated for about three days before reaching verdicts. The trial lasted about two months.

Valenciano and Soto showed little emotion when the verdict was announced.

“This is a very serious case,” Wade said after the verdict. “These are young men who’ve been involved in gangs for quite some time.”

In April, Valenciano’s attorney George Gigarjian said he would appeal the verdict. “We believe that the evidence did not prove that Mr. Valenciano participated in this crime,” Gigarjian said after the verdict.

The shooter, Anthony Gonzales, was convicted of murder in February 2008. He was also found guilty of robbery, conspiracy, gang allegations and other crimes. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Under the circumstances, all three — Gonzales, Valenciano and Soto — faced murder charges regardless of who pulled the trigger.