A gang member was convicted today in the fatal shooting of a man in Chula Vista in 2002 and the murder of another man in 2005, but jurors deadlocked 11-1 for guilt on a third gang-related killing.
Jose Luis Valdez, 32, faces life in prison without parole, with sentencing scheduled for Sept. 23.
After deliberating for parts of four days, a jury found Valdez guilty of second-degree murder in the December 2002 shooting death of 22-year-old Joseph Medina, and first-degree murder in the October 2005 shooting death of Daniel Rodriguez in Alpine.
Jurors found true a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.
Sheriff’s officials said Rodriguez was shot in the head and left under a bridge at Interstate 8 and Tavern Road. The victim was discovered on Oct. 13, 2005, and died three days later.
Valdez was also convicted of conspiracy in the Alpine murder, but jurors deadlocked 11-1 in the July 6, 2003, shooting death of Francisco Chaires in National City.
Deputy District Attorney David Grapilon alleged Valdez was the gunman in all three killings and the prosecution’s main witness, Daniel Mascareno, was the driver in each of the crimes.
Mascareno signed on as a cooperating witness in 2007 and participated in a number of undercover recorded operations with law enforcement targeting Valdez and other defendants, Grapilon said.
Valdez, John Reyna and Rashad Lansing were arrested in September 2013 in connection with the Rodriguez murder. Reyna and Lansing subsequently pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.
— City News Service
