A 17-year-old teen accused of fatally shooting an infant in East Palo Alto on June 5 did not enter a plea during a court appearance Wednesday (June 15).
Fabian Zaragoza, who wore a yellow jumpsuit with his hair in a long ponytail, has been charged as an adult with murder for killing 3-month-old Izack Jesus Jimenez Garcia and wounding the baby’s parents, Ivonne Garcia Lopez and Oscar Jimenez of Redwood City.
Defense attorney Peter Goldscheider said he needs time to review the facts of the case, and Zaragoza’s plea entry was postponed until July 13.
Zaragoza’s family was present in the courtroom for the plea hearing but did not speak to reporters.
Izack’s parents were also in the courtroom. Garcia Lopez wept quietly and held a photograph of Izack.
Zaragoza and another person are believed to have targeted the family after mistaking them for Sureno gang members who had assaulted Zaragoza in Redwood City on May 31.
In addition to murder, Zaragoza has been charged with two counts of attempted murder with the infliction of great bodily injury, a special
circumstance of lying in wait and use of a firearm in the commission of the crimes.
Zaragoza is being held without bail. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. Because he is just 17 years old, he will not face the death penalty.
The article states that Zaragoza’s family was present in the courtroom. One question. Where were they while he was becoming a gang member and thug?
Again, you have to ask where were Zaragoza’s parents and other family members when he was becoming part of a violent street gang? Showing up in court after he is accused of murder isn’t the time to start becoming supportive and a positive influence.
I agree, for the parents, that’s a big fail. The whole scenario is hard to take in so many ways. So sorry for the family who lost their baby. Hard not to feel angry at the parents of this teenager. And the teenager himself? Difficult to consider: on the one hand, just so mad at him, on the other, wish so much that someone had intervened in his life before he made all his bad decisions. Where were the adults? They have no excuse at all.
Milt & Observer are right on; thank you for these posts.
EPA is reeling from this. I am glad that residents were galvanized enough to go to the police w/info.
I cannot imagine what the baby’s family members are going through.
Mind your own businese. The parents are adults, they do not need the advice from you unless you are a pa teacher.
Yeah, we were minding our own business – that’s why we’re legit citizens. We’re not pulling triggers, involved in beatdowns or slinging drugs. Now it’s the business of many, because *we* pay the price w/our tax dollars that cover the cost of the trial, the county defender and the prosecutors, the prisons, we literally pay for the continued dangers that gangs pose to real citizens.