The first week of April was no fooling around (pun intended) as we started the fourth fiscal quarter.
On April 1, the morning of his scheduled jury trial, NORBERTO CARDENAS, 59 of Milford, pled guilty to domestic violence in violation of Penal Code section 273.5(a) and was sentenced to the middle term of 3 years in state prison. This case was prosecuted by ADA Ross Helmbold.
That same day but in a courtroom down the hall, JESSE ESTRADA DIAZ and JOSE ANTONIO NAVA, began their jury trial at which on April 3 they were both found guilty of the 1st degree murder of an incarcerated person that occurred August 26, 2023 while they were housed at High Desert State Prison. As to DIAZ, the jury also found him guilty of custodial possession of a weapon and found true he had previously been convicted for murder and attempted murder out of Monterey County. As to NAVA, the jury additionally found true that he had been previously convicted of attempted murder and shooting at an inhabited dwelling out of San Mateo County. Sentencing is scheduled for May 23, 2025. This case was prosecuted by Special Prosecutor Jordan Funk through our prison prosecution program.
Throughout the week DA Rios and DDA Don Brand appeared on an additional 21 felony cases between Tuesday 4/1 and Wednesday 4/2.
We closed out the week on Friday, April 4, with the preliminary hearing of WILLIAM ROBERT DOUGHERTY. He was held to answer on all charges of 2nd degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter by intoxication, and DUI with great bodily injury. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the official charging document on April 22, 2025. This case is currently being handled by DA Rios.
