A judge today accepted a plea deal of manslaughter with a gang
enhancement for previously accused murderer Gonzalo Munguia, 20,
whom authorities allege drove over and killed an 18-year-old during
a fight in July 2006. Munguia faces up to 11 years for the
manslaughter charge and another 10 for the special allegation,
according to court documents from today’s hearing.
HOLLISTER
A judge today accepted a plea deal of manslaughter with a gang enhancement for previously accused murderer Gonzalo Munguia, 20, whom authorities allege drove over and killed an 18-year-old during a fight in July 2006. Munguia faces up to 11 years for the manslaughter charge and another 10 for the special allegation, according to court documents from today’s hearing.
Prosecutors and Munguia’s attorney Bud Landreth struck the plea deal in which prosecutors drop the murder change in exchange for a guilty plea on manslaughter and a special allegation for gang involvement. It was approved by visiting Judge Thomas Breen.
Authorities allege that Munguia, along with then-17-year-old Emilio Roman, got into a fight with Daniel Gallegos and his younger brother in the 200 block of Hillcrest Road in July 2006. Police allege Munguia then entered a sedan and drove it over Gallegos, then backed up over him again before both suspected Surenos fled the scene.
In July with the help from public defender Greg LaForge, Roman struck a plea deal with Hooper to drop the murder charge and send the case to juvenile court, where Roman faced a sentence of 10 to 12 years in the California Youth Authority instead of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
At the time, District Attorney Candice Hooper told the Free Lance she had been discussing a possible plea deal for Munguia, but noted that “it will be a murder case.”
Neithe Hooper nor Landreth could be reached immediately for comment before publication.
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