Scotts Valley police arrested a Bay Area man this week on multiple charges of child sexual assault for crimes that investigators allege date back nearly two decades.
Crime
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UCSC investigating reports of voyeurism, burglary in campus residential buildings
UC Santa Cruz’s police department and Title IX Office are investigating reports of voyeurism in three residential buildings on campus, incidents possibly linked to earlier burglary reports.
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Three suspects flee after Monday night shooting in Watsonville; no injuries reported
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting Monday night on San Andreas Road; no injuries were reported.
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Juror in Gonzalez trial urges reform of state bill that prevented him from being charged as adult, allows repeat chances for release
A juror who served in Adrian Gonzalez’s trial for release is speaking out against Senate Bill 1391, which barred the prosecution of people under the age of 16 as adults, and allows Gonzalez – who raped and murdered 8-year-old Madyson Middleton in 2015 – repeat chances at release. Joan Hoyt is urging state lawmakers to change the bill, and state Sen. John Laird says he intends to keep the conversation moving within the Legislature.
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Attorneys deliver closing statements in Adrian Gonzalez trial; jury begins deliberation
The attorneys in Adrian Gonzalez’s trial for release gave lengthy closing arguments on Tuesday before the court sent the jury to deliberate on the fate of the 25-year-old convicted of the 2015 murder of Santa Cruz 8-year-old Madyson Middleton. Prosecutor Tara George argued that Gonzalez is nowhere near ready for release and continues to deceive people about who he really is, while Gonzalez attorney Charlie Stevens said that he is not the same person he was when he committed the crime nearly a decade ago and has learned to deal with the mental health issues that created the conditions for the crime.
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Forensic psychologist reaffirms belief that Adrian Gonzalez poses danger if released as both sides rest their cases
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.
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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.