Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/02/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant Larry Scoufos Chief Deputy District Attorney: Diana Gomez

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

GANG MEMBERS TO FACE TRIAL IN NEW YEAR’S EVE MURDER

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Superior Court Judge Cerena Wong found that there was sufficient evidence presented during an18 day preliminary hearing to believe Dominic Nevarez, 22, should stand trial for the murder of Rogelio Bautista, age16. The homicide occurred on December 31, 2004. Judge Wong also found that there was sufficient evidence presented to believe the killing was done to benefit a criminal street gang and that a firearm was used, discharged and caused death. The maximum total penalty for these charges is 60 years to life.

Judge Wong also ruled that Abraham Gonzalez-Zarate and David Nevarez should stand trial on attempted murder charges for their part in the subsequent shooting that occurred as Rogelio Bautista’s friends gathered around his body. She also found that sufficient evidence was presented to believe that the crimes were committed with premeditation and deliberation and that a firearm was discharged. In addition she ruled that there was sufficient evidence to believe that Gonzales-Zarate committed the crime to benefit a criminal street gang. The maximum total penalty for these charges is 20 years plus life.

All three defendants will be arraigned on November 16, 2005.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Diana Gomez was the assigned prosecutor on the case. She was assisted by Sheriff Detective David Pedersen.