Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 07/30/04

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Jill Ravitch

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

GANG MEMBERS CONVICTED OF MURDER

A Sonoma County jury convicted Ivan Gonzalez, David Tamaz and Ronald Bray of first degree murder in the September 18, 2001, stabbing death of an eighteen year old Cloverdale man. The jury also convicted the defendants of the attempted murder of another man, assault with a deadly weapon on a third victim, burglary and assisting gang members in felonious criminal conduct.

The trial commenced with jury selection on May 6th and concluded with closing arguments by the attorneys on July 21st. Jurors deliberated approximately four days prior to reaching their verdicts.

The defendants each face a minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Sentencing dates of September 27th for Gonzalez and October 4th for Tamaz and Bray have been set before Superior Court Judge Robert P. Dale.

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua applauded the jury’s verdicts and stated, "This sends a strong message that our community will not tolerate acts of violence and will hold all gang members responsible for the acts of others."

Jill Ravitch prosecuted the defendants and was assisted by District Attorney Investigators Gary Giovannoni and John Kilass and Legal Assistant Dava Kohlman. Santa Rosa Police Detective Jim Lane provided the prosecution with expert testimony on gangs.