On May 28, 2009, Raymond Duran, 19 of Tulare, was sentenced to 16 years to life in state prison for the second degree murder of an eighteen year old man. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Judge Paul Vortmann. The defendant was found guilty by way of jury trial on April 29, 2009.

In the early morning hours of July 23, 2007, the defendant was seen walking with the victim in the city of Tulare in a direction toward the Tulare Cemetery. The defendant was also known to be in possession of a knife at the time. Later that morning, the victim’s body was found next to a large pool of blood in the cemetery. The victim had been stabbed between 35-40 times. Officers also located a trail of blood from the victim’s body to the apartment complex where the defendant lived. The defendant, who originally denied involvement, was found with cuts on each of his hands as if a knife had slipped through them. Further examination revealed the defendant’s blood and DNA located on the victim. Eventually, the defendant admitted to stabbing the defendant but claimed he acted in self-defense.

The Honorable Judge Paul Vortmann sentenced the defendant to 15 years to life in state prison for second degree murder. He also imposed a consecutive one year enhancement for the use of a knife during the murder.

The case was investigated by Sergeant Fred Ynclan and Officer Jerod Boatman of the Tulare Police Department. Deputy District Attorney Ruth McKee served as the prosecutor.

Contact Person: Shani Jenkins, Assistant District Attorney (559) 733-6411