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.
Madyson Middleton murder
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Jury denies release of Adrian Gonzalez, convicted in murder of 8-year-old Madyson Middleton; will remain in custody
After a nearly three-month trial, a Santa Cruz jury ruled Wednesday that Adrian Gonzalez, convicted in the 2015 rape and murder of 8-year-old neighbor Madyson Middleton, should not be released after aging out of the juvenile justice system.
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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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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.