Jury finds Jesse Alvarez guilty of murder in the first degree in death of Cathedral Catholic teacher

CBS 8 San Diego
11 Mar 202406:15
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn the case of People of State of California vs. Jesse Milton Alvarez, the jury in San Diego County found the defendant guilty of first-degree murder for the death of Mario Fierro, with the verdict dated 2024-04-18. The presiding juror noted the trial's length and emotional impact, thanked the jurors for their service, and reminded them of the 90-day restriction on negotiating for book or movie rights. The judge emphasized the importance of the jury's role in democracy and commended them for their diligent consideration of the evidence and adherence to the law, concluding the proceedings with the sentencing date set for May 10th.

Takeaways
  • 📜 The case is titled 'The People of the State of California vs. Jesse Milton Alvarez', with case number S CD 288940.
  • 🎯 Jesse Milton Alvarez is found guilty of first-degree murder in violation of penal code section 187 A.
  • 🔫 The jury determined that Alvarez intentionally discharged a nine millimeter firearm, causing the death of Mario Fierro.
  • 🛡 The murder was premeditated, as Alvarez was found to have 'lied in wait' according to penal code section 190.2 A.
  • ✍️ The verdict was recorded and signed by juror six, the presiding juror.
  • 📝 Not all verdict forms were filled out as required, which could be significant for an appellate record.
  • 🚫 The court waived the reading of the verdict, indicating that it was officially recorded.
  • 🙏 The judge expressed gratitude to the jury for their service during the lengthy and emotional trial.
  • 🤫 The judge instructed the jury that they can now discuss the case, but they cannot negotiate for movie or book rights for 90 days.
  • 🔏 The jurors' names were sealed for privacy, and any contact attempts should be reported to the court.
  • 🏛 The judge emphasized the importance of jury duty as a democratic responsibility, alongside voting.
  • 🧐 The jury's decision, whether guilty or not guilty, is considered the right decision as it is based on the evidence and instructions provided.
  • 📆 A sentencing date was discussed and agreed upon for May 10th at 9 a.m.
  • 👨‍⚖️ The defendant, Jesse Milton Alvarez, was remanded without bail following the verdict.
Q & A

  • What is the case number for the trial involving Jesse Milton Alvarez?

    -The case number is S CD 288940.

  • What crime was Jesse Milton Alvarez found guilty of?

    -Jesse Milton Alvarez was found guilty of the crime of murder in the first degree.

  • What was the specific violation that led to the first-degree murder charge?

    -The specific violation was in violation of penal code section 187 A.

  • What additional finding did the jury make regarding the murder?

    -The jury found that the murder was committed by lying in wait, as defined by penal code section 190.2 A.

  • Who signed the verdict form?

    -The verdict form was signed by juror six, the presiding juror.

  • What was the instruction given to the jury regarding discussing the case?

    -The jury was told that they could choose who they wanted to talk to about the case, but they could not negotiate for movie or book rights for 90 days.

  • Why were the jurors' names sealed?

    -The jurors' names were sealed to protect their identities, with the official record only referring to them by numbers.

  • What was the judge's stance on criticism of the jury's decision?

    -The judge emphasized that any criticism of the jury's decision is unwarranted, as the jury made their decision based on the evidence and instructions provided during the trial.

  • What was the judge's comment on the importance of jury service?

    -The judge stated that jury service is a duty of democracy, allowing citizens to participate in the democratic process both by voting and by serving on juries.

  • What was the sentencing date agreed upon for Jesse Milton Alvarez?

    -The agreed upon sentencing date was May 10th.

  • What was the time set for the sentencing hearing?

    -The sentencing hearing was scheduled for 9 a.m.

  • What was the final action taken by the court after the trial?

    -The court was adjourned, and the defendant, Jesse Milton Alvarez, was remanded without bail.

Outlines
00:00
📜 Verdict Announcement in a First-Degree Murder Case

The first paragraph of the video script details the closing moments of a trial in which the defendant, Jesse Milton Alvarez, is found guilty of first-degree murder. The jury has delivered its verdict, stating that Alvarez intentionally discharged a nine millimeter firearm, causing the death of Mario Fierro. The presiding juror signs the verdict, and the judge acknowledges the jury's service, emphasizing the importance of their role in the democratic process. The judge also reminds the jurors of the restrictions on discussing the case and selling any rights related to it for a period of 90 days. The court's procedure is concluded with the sealing of the jurors' names for privacy and security.

05:01
🏛 Court Adjournment and Sentencing Details

The second paragraph describes the procedural steps following the jury's verdict in the trial. The court acknowledges the presence of the defendant and counsel, and the defendant is remanded without bail. There is a brief discussion about the sentencing date, which is initially mentioned as April 9th but is corrected to May 10th after a clarification. The court then asks if there are any further matters to address from either the prosecution or the defense before officially adjourning the session. The court clerk confirms that all verdict forms are accounted for, and the court concludes with a note of thanks to all participants.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Verdict
A verdict is the formal decision or finding made by a jury after considering the evidence presented in a trial. In the script, the verdict is that the defendant, Jesse Milton Alvarez, is found guilty of the crime of murder in the first degree. This is a central element of the video's narrative, as it represents the culmination of the legal process and the jury's deliberation.
💡Murder in the First Degree
Murder in the first degree is a classification of murder that involves premeditation or intent to kill. It is the most serious level of murder charge in many jurisdictions. In the context of the video, the defendant is found guilty of this crime, indicating that the jury believed the murder was planned and deliberate, as per the penal code section 187 A.
💡Penal Code Section
Penal code sections refer to specific laws within a jurisdiction's legal code that define and regulate criminal offenses. In the script, several penal code sections are mentioned, such as 187 A, 12022.53, and 190.2 A, which outline the legal definitions and criteria for the crimes and circumstances under consideration in the trial.
💡Jury
A jury is a group of people sworn to render a verdict in a trial, based on the evidence presented during the proceedings. The script involves a jury that has found the defendant guilty after a presumably lengthy and emotional trial. The jury's role is pivotal to the theme of the video, as it represents the democratic process of justice where citizens participate in determining the outcome of a case.
💡Intentionally Discharged a Firearm
This phrase refers to the deliberate action of firing a gun. In the script, it is a key element in the jury's findings, as they determine that the defendant intentionally discharged a nine millimeter firearm, which caused the death of Mario Fierro. This action is a critical part of establishing the guilt of the defendant in the context of the murder charge.
💡Lying in Wait
Lying in wait is a legal term that describes a premeditated act where a perpetrator conceals themselves with the intent to commit a crime, such as murder. The script states that the murder was committed by lying in wait, which is a factor that can aggravate the crime and contribute to the first-degree murder charge.
💡Presiding Juror
The presiding juror is the member of the jury who is elected by the other jurors to act as the group's spokesperson and to perform certain administrative tasks. In the script, the presiding juror signs the verdict, signifying the jury's consensus and the official conclusion of their deliberations.
💡Appellate Record
An appellate record is the collection of documents and proceedings from a trial court that are reviewed by an appellate court in the event of an appeal. The script mentions the appellate record in the context of noting that the remaining verdict forms were not filled out as required, which could be relevant for any subsequent legal review.
💡
💡Sealing Names
Sealing names refers to the process of keeping juror identities confidential, often for their safety and to prevent outside influence or harassment. In the script, the judge mentions that the jurors' names have been sealed and can only be opened by court order, highlighting the importance of maintaining the integrity and privacy of the jury system.
💡Sentencing Date
The sentencing date is the date on which a convicted defendant is formally sentenced by the court. It marks the next phase of the legal process after a verdict has been reached. In the script, the sentencing date is discussed and agreed upon by the court as May 10th, indicating the continuation of the legal proceedings post-verdict.
💡Remanded Without Bail
To remand without bail means that a defendant is held in custody until further legal proceedings, without the option of release on bail. In the context of the video, the defendant is remanded without bail following the guilty verdict, reflecting the seriousness of the charges and the court's decision regarding the defendant's custody status.
💡Adjourned
When a court is adjourned, it means the court session has been officially closed or concluded. In the script, the judge states, 'We're adjourned,' signaling the end of the court proceedings for that day and the completion of the trial phase with the verdict being recorded.
Highlights

The jury found Jesse Milton Alvarez guilty of murder in the first degree.

The crime violated penal code section 187 A.

The jury determined that Alvarez intentionally and personally discharged a nine millimeter firearm.

The death of Mario Fierro was a direct result of Alvarez's actions.

The murder was committed by lying in wait, as defined by penal code section 190.2 A.

The verdict forms were not filled out as required under section 640.

The council waived the reading of the verdict as it was recorded.

The jury was thanked for their service, acknowledging the trial's length and emotional nature.

Jurors were informed they can now discuss the case with whomever they choose.

A 90-day waiting period was mentioned for jurors to negotiate any movie or book rights.

The jurors' names were sealed for privacy, with the court order required to open them.

The judge emphasized the importance of jury service as a democratic duty.

The judge defended the jury system against criticism, stating decisions are based on evidence and law.

The judge expressed gratitude to the jurors for their participation and commitment to the trial.

The defendant, Jesse Milton Alvarez, was remanded without bail.

A sentencing date was agreed upon for May 10th at 9 a.m.

The court session concluded with a reminder for the jury to notify the court if contacted by anyone regarding the case.

The judge adjourned the court, confirming all verdicts were recorded.

Transcripts

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Murder VerdictCalifornia LawJury ServiceLegal TrialFirst-Degree MurderFirearm DischargeLying in WaitJuror InstructionsCourtroom DramaDemocracy in ActionSan Diego Court