A deputy prosecutor who recently agreed to a plea deal for a man
accused of shooting his mother three times last June today noted
how the suspect’s mom had not been cooperating with prosecutors
prior to the decision, over which District Attorney Candice Hooper
did not have final say.
A deputy prosecutor who recently agreed to a plea deal for a man accused of shooting his mother three times last June today noted how the suspect’s mom had not been cooperating with prosecutors prior to the decision, over which District Attorney Candice Hooper did not have final say.
“Justice is a process,” said Deputy District Attorney Patrick Palacios, who oversaw the prosecution. “The victim in the case didn’t want any prosecution. It was her son. Based on her position, that it wasn’t him, we think … this was a very good resolution.”
Ruben A. Garcia, 41, has been accused of shooting his mother three times, once in the face. He is headed toward a 12-year prison sentence after Palacios and Public Defender Gregory LaForge reached the deal last week.
Reached today, District Attorney Candice Hooper acknowledged she did not OK the agreement and that she allows deputy prosecutors to make such decisions.
“I don’t sign off,” Hooper said. “I trust my deputies.”
Garcia had been charged with first-degree attempted murder. With a prior strike on his record for battery with serious bodily injury, he had faced a sentence, if convicted in a potential trial, of 55 years to life in prison.
Authorities suspect Garcia shot his mother in her face, arm and hand June 1 of last year after an argument over finances. She survived the attack after treatment at a Bay Area hospital. Two days later, police discovered Garcia locked into his home near Cerra Vista Elementary School on Brighton Avenue. Authorities then engaged in a four-hour standoff before the suspect turned himself in without further confrontation.
Below is this week’s installment of Hello Hollister featuring Public Defender Greg LaForge.
