A forensic psychologist who first testified in December returned to the stand Monday and doubled down on her belief that Adrian Gonzalez is not safe for release — and said she believes the evidence is even stronger now. The attorneys rested their cases and will deliver their closing statements Tuesday morning in the trial over whether Gonzalez, convicted of the 2015 murder of Santa Cruz 8-year-old Madyson Middleton, can go free.
Crime
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Adrian Gonzalez reenacts crime, describes actions as self-interested as cross-examination concludes
In the final two days of prosecutor Tara George’s cross-examination of Adrian Gonzalez, she touched on a number of issues, including his planning of the 2015 rape and murder of 8-year-old Madyson Middleton and hiding of the evidence. George also brought several props to have Gonzalez reenact the crime for the jury. The trial will resume Monday.
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Owner, employee of Watsonville residential care home accused of elder abuse after resident died in 2022 from cold exposure
The owner and an employee of Rose Garden Residential Care Home in Watsonville are each facing one felony charge of elder abuse after state officials say a dependent adult died under their care more than two years ago.
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Adrian Gonzalez grilled about pornography, prison friends and intent in rape and murder of Madyson Middleton
Adrian Gonzalez, convicted in the 2015 rape and murder of 8-year-old neighbor Madyson Middleton, was grilled on the stand most of the day Monday by a Santa Cruz County prosecutor clearly intent on trying to show that Gonzalez is not fit for release.
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Adrian Gonzalez says he doesn’t think he is a danger to the community, but ‘it’s not for me to decide’
Adrian Gonzalez wrapped up questions from his attorney on Friday, and said that while he does not believe he is a danger to the community anymore, it is not up to him to decide. The trial to decide if Gonzalez, convicted of the 2015 rape and murder of Santa Cruz 8-year-old Madyson Middleton, can go free returns to court on Monday.
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Adrian Gonzalez details rape, murder of Madyson Middleton as testimony continues
Adrian Gonzalez testified in a Santa Cruz courtroom Thursday about killing 8-year-old Madyson Middleton in 2015 when he was 15, detailing how he lured her with ice cream before attacking and murdering her.
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Adrian Gonzalez testifies about troubled childhood, mental health struggles
A decade after raping and murdering 8-year-old neighbor Madyson Middleton when he was 15, Adrian Gonzalez took the stand Wednesday in a Santa Cruz courtroom, detailing his unstable family situation and struggles with depression in testimony that could help determine his release.
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Adrian Gonzalez on ‘lower end’ of risk to reoffend, psychologist testifies in release trial
A psychologist testified that Adrian Gonzalez, who killed 8-year-old Madyson Middleton when he was 15, has a low risk of reoffending and shows signs of having been a troubled teen rather than a lifelong criminal. The trial over whether to release Gonzalez continues on Wednesday.
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First of four suspects in Tushar Atre murder case finally goes to court
The first of four separate trials for the suspects in the 2019 murder of Pleasure Point tech and cannabis entrepreneur Tushar Atre finally began Wednesday afternoon after years of legal proceedings. Attorneys gave their opening statements as they started the trial of Stephen Lindsay, expected to last four to six weeks.
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Opening statements in trial for murder of Pleasure Point tech executive Tushar Atre to begin this week
After a yearslong pretrial process, the trial of one of the suspects in the murder of tech and cannabis executive Tushar Atre is finally set to begin Monday with opening statements. The four defendants will be tried separately over the coming year.