On November 16, 2008, in the city of Visalia, Defendant Juarez told Visalia Police Detectives that she found 61-year-old Jose Torres lying on the ground in her backyard with injury to his head. He was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead as a result of a blunt force trauma to the head. The defendant was friends with the victim, but denied knowing what led to his death.

Defendant Juarez was eventually confronted by detectives with evidence that was developed through the subsequent investigation. At that time, she admitted that on numerous prior occasions, she and others developed a plan to “rough up” and rob the victim. The defendant admitted that the actual perpetrator gave her instructions to follow on the day in question. She did in fact follow those instructions and set the victim up which ultimately led to the victim being attacked and killed during an apparent robbery.

The case is set for sentencing on November 24, 2009. The defendant Velia Juarez faces 25-years-to-life in prison.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Onu Omordia and investigated by Detective Curtis Brown of the Visalia Police Department.

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