Today, Jose Zavala, of Visalia was sentenced to thirty one years and eight months in state prison for the crimes committed on November 14, 2004. Jose Zavala shot at a Visalia Police Officer and numerous other people as a report was being taken in the early morning hours. The Officer returned fire and fatally injured the driver of the car, Billy Goodwin.

Zavala, 25, pled no contest to a felony violation of Penal Code section 245(d), assault with a firearm on a peace officer, with a special allegation for personal use of a firearm under Penal Code section 12022.53(c). Zavala, also pled to Penal Code section 192(a), voluntary manslaughter of the driver of the vehicle and Penal Code section 245(a)(2), assault with a firearm on the other victims. Both of those counts also included the personal use of a firearm special allegation under Penal Code section 12022.5.

Judge Gary Paden, sentenced Zavala to serve thirty one years and eight months in state prison for his crimes. He will also have to pay a restitution fine in the amount of $6,000. He will have to provide samples of his blood, saliva, and thumb and palm prints pursuant to Penal Code section 296. Zavala’s pleas will count as a “strikes” under California law, and in the future, if he commits other felonies, his sentence could be twenty five years to life. Zavala will have to serve eighty five percent of his sentence before being paroled.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ralph Kaelble of the District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Division and investigated by Detective Corey Sumpter of the Visalia Police Department.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney Carol Turner, 733-6411.