Crime & Safety
Man Arrested for Death of Jose Merales to Serve 21 Years
Hugo Garcia pleaded 'no contest' to 2008 murder.
A little more than four years after the murder of Jose Merales, the man arrested for his murder has entered a nolo contedere plea.
Hugo Garcia, 23, pleaded "no contest" Monday to voluntary manslaughter with a gun enhancement and will be sentenced to 21 years, according to the . The no contest plea, means that Garcia neither pleaded "not guilty" or "guilty" but will accept the punishment. This case can't be used against him in any future proceedings.
Garcia, then 19 years old and a resident of San Jose, had been arrested by MVPD detectitves in March 2008 for the murder of Merales, 17, killed in a shooting on Feb. 26, 2008 on the 100 block of Higdon Avenue. Merales was found lying on the sidewalk and pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.
According to the MVPD, detectives lacked eye witnesses to the homicide but the investigation and evidence led police to Garcia.
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Garcia will be sentenced on May 3, 2012.
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