On October 9, 2009, Mario Leon, 21, of Visalia, was convicted of First-Degree Murder with the Special Circumstances of Robbery and Gang Murder. The Honorable Judge Darryl Ferguson presided over the trial. Sentencing is set for November 5, 2009.

The crime took place on July 21, 2007 in the city of Visalia. The victim Carlos Lopez and two of his friends stopped at the gas station located at Ben Maddox and Houston after getting off of work. While at the gas station, they were approached by three individuals, one of which was the defendant. The defendant demanded money from the victim and when he refused he pulled out a gun. The defendant threatened the victim with the gun and when he still refused to give him money, the defendant shot the victim one time in the chest killing him.

The case was investigated by Agent Diltz and the Visalia Police Department; and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kerri Lopez with assistance from Investigator Kurt McPhetridge and the Tulare County District Attorney Bureau of Investigations.

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