Visalia, Calif. – The honorable Darryl Ferguson sentenced Isaac Brooks Meraz to prison for a term of life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 25 years to life. A jury previously returned guilty verdicts for Isaac Meraz, for a murder which occurred on August 23, 2003. Meraz, 28, from Goshen, California was convicted by the jury on February 8, 2010 of First Degree Murder as well as the Special Circumstance that at the time of the murder Meraz was an active participant in a criminal street gang. In addition, Meraz was convicted of additional charges of Shooting at an occupied vehicle and unlawful firearm activity as well as numerous special allegations.

On August 23, 2003, victim Jose Landin, 21, from Alpaugh, was waiting for his turn to order while in the drive thru line of a local fast-food restaurant. Mr. Meraz approached the passenger side of the vehicle, which had seven occupants and fired four shots, striking the victim three times in the neck and chest.

Although the shooter immediately departed from the area after the shooting, detectives from the Visalia Police Department soon identified the shooter as Isaac Meraz. He was arrested the following day in a vehicle that was stopped by officers from the Visalia Police Department. The vehicle was pulled over on Hwy 99, southbound, as Mr. Meraz was headed to Mexico.

Jury selection in this case began in November, 2009 and the presentation of evidence began on January 6, 2010.
The case was prosecuted by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Tim Ward along with Assistant Chief Investigator Brian Davis from the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations. Detective Steve Shear was the lead detective with the Visalia Police Department.

Contact Persons:
Don Gallian, Assistant District Attorney (559) 733-6411
Tim Ward, Supervising District Attorney