Jacob Montgomery (19), Carlos Rivera (25), Juan Duarte (19), Yuliana Garcia (17) - Three victims found at fatal crash scene in Palm Springs had gunshot wounds

[up2trouble]

https://www.kesq.com/news/three-peop...ms-/1002609968

PALM SPRINGS, Calif.- - Three victims found at the scene of a fatal traffic collision late Sunday evening sustained gunshot wounds, Palm Springs Police Department Chief Bryan Reyes said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon. Reyes also said that it is not clear at this time if the gunshot wounds caused the deaths of the victims, who are aged 17 - 19.

Police are now calling this a four-person homicide investigation, possibly the 'worst mass-killing' in the city's history, according to Reyes.

In a news conference held Tuesday afternoon, Chief Reyes asked anyone in the surrounding areas who may have surveillance footage from that night to contact law enforcement to assist with the investigation.

At 11:40 p.m Sunday, an accident was reported near the intersection of Sunny Dunes Road and El Placer Road in Palm Springs. The driver and two passengers died at the scene.

Shortly afterward, at 12:15 a.m., officers received a report of a man lying in the road on Canon Drive south of Theresa Drive in Palm Springs. Officers found that the man had suffered from a gunshot wound and had died before officers arrived.

The shooting victim is a 25-year-old man from Palm Springs, but his identity has not been released.

Reyes later said in the news conference that he is unsure if there still is a threat to public safety at this time and that he does not know if someone involved is still out there.

The two incidents are being actively investigating to determine if they are related, based on their timing and proximity.

[up2trouble]

https://www.kesq.com/news/palm-sprin...der/1005326457

PALM SPRINGS, Calif.- - A suspect has been charged with four counts of murder in connection with a quadruple homicide in Palm Springs.

19-year-old Jose Larin-Garcia of Cathedral City was arrested by PSPD officers Monday at 7:48 p.m. at the Indio Greyhound Station.

“He was arrested the night of February 4th at the Greyhound station after we developed probable cause to believe he was in possession of a high capacity magazine and that’s what he was arrested for and sent to the Indio County Jail for,” said Sergeant Michael Casavan of the Palm Springs Police Department.

He pleaded not guilty to all four murder charges in court Thursday and is being held without bail, according to John Hall, public information officer for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. He also pleaded not guilty to a high capacity magazine charge.

The coroner's office has positivley identified the four victims as, 25-year-old Carlos Campos, 19-year-old Jacob Montgomery, 18-year-old Juan Duarte-Raya and 17-year-old Yuliana Garcia.

Raya's family sent News Channel 3's Lauren Coronado this quote;

"…We are happy that Juan is getting justice, but at the same time, we still think that for such a gruesome tragedy, he [the suspect] probably was not working alone, and that’s what scares us.”

Casavan says the department does not have information on whether or not the suspect worked alone and is asking the public to come forward with any information that may help with the investigation.

Some local businesses are helping fundraise for victim's funeral expenses.

Elena and Anthony Riccio own La Bella Cucina restaurant in Palm Desert and are eaccepting donations for Montgomery's service. The Riccio's say Montgomery and his family are close friends of theirs.

“You have to open a platform and even if it wasn’t someone that was as close to us, if you can help someone, you have to. During a tragic time like this, the last thing somebody has is extra money for burial services," said Elana Riccio.

Joe's Tire Shop in Cathedral City will also be donating their space for a car wash fundraiser Saturday (3:30 pm) and Sunday (all day).

At 11:40 p.m Sunday, an accident was reported near the intersection of Sunny Dunes Road and El Placer Road in Palm Springs. The driver and two passengers died at the scene. In a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Palm Springs Police Department Chief Reyes said that the three victims found at the crash scene had sustained gunshot wounds, but clarified that it was unclear at that time if the gunshots caused the deaths of the victims.

Shortly after the accident was reported, PSPD received a call of a body in the road at 12:15 a.m. Officers arrived on scene and found the body of a man who had suffered from an 'apparent' gunshot wound. The victim, a 25-year-old Palm Springs man, died before officers arrived.

Wednesday night, Dana Beauchemin spoke with News Channel 3's Lauren Coronado, confirming that her son, 19-year-old Jacob Montgomery of Cathedral City, was one of the victims in the car. Another victim's family member confirmed with News Channel 3 that 17-year-old Yuliana Garcia was another one of the victims found dead at the collision scene.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up for 19-year-old Juan Duarte Raya, who, according to the campaign's description, was "kill[ed] with 3 others on 2/3 at night". The page has been shared out extensively on social media identifying Raya as the third victim.

The Riverside County Coroner's Office is working to offically release the identifications of the four victims.

PSPD Detectives continue to urge anyone living in the area with street view surveillance footage from Sunday at 11:20 to Monday at 1:00 a.m to review the video.

Anyone with information relating to the investigation should contact PSPD at 76-232-8136. To issue an anonymous tip, contact Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.

Fundraising pages have been set up to support the families of the victims.

In honor of Yuliana Garcia

"On Sunday night our precious Yulie passed . She was only 17-years-old just a teen full of life who didn’t deserve this! She left behind her family and friends who love her dearly," reads the page description. "Today I’m asking for you’re support in this tragic time to help me raise some money to help out her family. Her family and I would truly appreciate you’re support. Thank You Rest Easy babygirl 12/15/01 - 02/03/19"

A Young Life Gone Too Soon (Juan Duarte Raya)

"I want to raise money to help my sister out she has gone through so much. This is her second child that their life’s have cut short. Juan was also my Godson, he was always smiling and with struggles and all he graduated high school," reads the page description. "He didn’t continue college because he wanted to get a job and he did he was happy because he no longer had to depend on his parents, but unfortunately he has kill with 3 others on 2/3 at night . Please help to make this process a little easier for our family."

Funeral services for Jacob Montgomery

Jacob Reino Montgomery age 19 was one of the 3 victims of the tragic incident that occurred in Palm Springs on Monday morning early February 4, 2019," reads the page description. "Leaving behind a loving mother Dana Beauchemn and a heart broken Grandmother Edie Carranza and uncle William & a devastated Family All proceeds will go to help pay for funeral expenses. Our family would like to Thank you for your kind generosity."

[up2trouble]

sad

[KimTisha]

I read that entire article (including the links) and I'm STILL not sure what went on here. This is a REALLY convoluted case, so Imma Cliff-note all of that info the best I know how.

According to the prosecution:

The prosecution [Paixao] says on the night of the murders, Larin-Garcia was in a car with three of the four victims. Paixao said Yuliana Garcia was driving, Juan Duarte Raya was in the passenger seat and Jacob Montgomery and Larin-Garcia were both in the backseat.

She says the four were driving in Duarte Raya?s green Toyota Corolla, and that direct Facebook messages reveal Jacob Montgomery was going to sell drugs [$20 fentanyl pill] to the fourth victim, Carlos Campos Rivera.

?These are the last known messages these two engaged in,? said Paixao.

Paixao said when the Corolla approached the agreed-upon meeting spot in Palm Springs around 11:30 that night, shots were fired -- killing Carlos Campos Rivera. A witness said the Corolla then sped away.

The four inside the Corolla were heading down E. Sunny Dunes Rd. when a witness heard additional gunshots. Paixao said it was at that moment that Larin-Garcia shot and killed the other three inside the car.

Link: https://kesq.com/news/top-stories/20...e-murder-case/

FB message:



Still trying to figure out how the car crashed backwards. I'm assuming maybe a panicked K-turn in the middle of the road?

[KimTisha]

The defendant (big, husky guy) was found hiding under a truck a couple of blocks away. An officer responding to the crash, reported a "tall, thin man with a limp" running from the direction of what was later discovered to be a triple/quadruple homicide.

Some [most] of the prosecution's case seems to be all over the place. John Olvera, who took credit for the murders on Instagram, testified that he....

"was merely posing online, calling himself "a watered down gangster," or a "wangster."

Asked directly by prosecutors if he killed the four victims, Olvera testified no.

He said, "I was fronting for the 'gram, fronting for the media... I'm a wannabe rapper."

Olvera testified popular rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again was an idol and an inspiration. YoungBoy's lyrics chronicle drug use, murders and illegal activity.

The social media posts were simply rap lyrics, Olvera said, testifying, "I'm a wannabe then, I'm a wannabe now and I'm a wannabe in the future."

Olvera said he never knew three of the victims personally, but was entangled at one time in what police called "street beef" with victim Jacob Montgomery and defendant Larin Garcia.

Link: https://kesq.com/news/2022/01/10/pal...to-rap-lyrics/

Wangster? More like a "wankster" if you ask me.

IG message:



Another witness (a friend of the victims and the last person to see them on the night of the murder) changed his recollection of the events of the evening while on the stand. He contradicted his 2019 statement to police, including the timeline and who was in the car at the time.

The prosecution also brought forth as a "motive" that weeks/days(?) prior to the murder, Larin-Garcia stated he was going to kill someone unless he could find a girl to have sex with. I don't know if they're going for an incel thing or what here.

Larin-Garcia's mother testified that he called her on the night of the murders and told her he witnessed a murder and he was afraid the police were going to arrest him. She described him as sounding "scared and intoxicated." His mother provided fresh clothing and a back-pack, a family friend purchased a bus ticket to Florida in another name, and Larin-Garcia was arrested at the bus station while waiting to leave.

No weapon has been recovered. There is some some ballistics evidence that LOOSELY ties Larin-Garcia to the shootings, as in 9mm shells from several different sources/lots were found at the scene, and a single 9mm bullet similar to those at the scene was discovered in Larin-Garcia's room. Some articles refer to 9mm bullets found in Larin's car as well, but I read nothing about that directly.

There was also some blood evidence found on Larin-Garcia's clothing that the prosecution suggested was from the victims, but DNA evidence hasn't been presented to establish that.

Larin-Garcia was brought to the hospital for "various abrasions" (accident? arrest?) and "fled the hospital" according to the prosecutor. The defense claims he was "discharged." The police testified he was not in custody at the time.

I know I'm not there in the courtroom and hearing all the testimony, but after reading up on 3 weeks worth of the prosecution's case, I don't have a good feeling about this one, and I'm certainly not convinced of Larin-Garcia's guilt. I think he was involved in some way, but not necessarily as the shooter.

[KimTisha]

Also, from the article RBW posted:

Expected to testify were "Perkins operation" agents, undercover officers who posed as inmates at the banning jail the day after the murders. They were trying to obtain recorded statements from the accused murderer.

The defense argued that because Larin Garcia invoked his Miranda rights, the right to remain silent, the undercover interview was illegal.

But the judge decided, based on cases that allowed statements made by suspects to undercover agents, that the Perkins operation was fair game.

The recordings, which are reportedly hours long and in Spanish, will not be played in court. But the agents will soon take the stand, likely on Monday ? with their testimony highly crucial to the case.

I don't like this. I'm always suspect of jailhouse informants, especially when they're government employees.

Palm Springs, isn't that where the rich folks have vacation homes? I did a drive through and it looks like a nice enough neighborhood. I'm sure police were anxious to solve this one, and there was Larin-Garcia, hiding under a truck just down the street from the scene of the crime.

Found a dead body on this street in Palm Springs:



Street view here: https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8146...7i16384!8i8192

Found 3 dead bodies here, within blocks of the first body:

Street view here: https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8122...7i13312!8i6656

map of neighborhood:



Not sure, but this may be a rush to solve situation. If I was on the jury, I don't know that I could vote to convict.

[jennafyre]

He said, "I was fronting for the 'gram, fronting for the media... I'm a wannabe rapper."


Fronting for the 'gram Sounds like he was telling his grandma he was at church when he was really out on bikes with his lil friends.

[KimTisha]

He said, "I was fronting for the 'gram, fronting for the media... I'm a wannabe rapper."


Fronting for the 'gram Sounds like he was telling his grandma he was at church when he was really out on bikes with his lil friends.

[Boston Babe 73]

Also, from the article RBW posted:



I don't like this. I'm always suspect of jailhouse informants, especially when they're government employees.

Palm Springs, isn't that where the rich folks have vacation homes? I did a drive through and it looks like a nice enough neighborhood. I'm sure police were anxious to solve this one, and there was Larin-Garcia, hiding under a truck just down the street from the scene of the crime.

Found a dead body on this street in Palm Springs:



Street view here: https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8146...7i16384!8i8192

Found 3 dead bodies here, within blocks of the first body:

Street view here: https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8122...7i13312!8i6656

map of neighborhood:



Not sure, but this may be a rush to solve situation. If I was on the jury, I don't know that I could vote to convict.

It's not all rich people down there. It's desert land there and there are desert cities surrounding it. Palm Springs is the upper class city in the area, but there are plenty of cities neighboring it that's a mix of snow birds, retirees that golf and meth labs. There's plenty of crime throughout the area and plenty of junkies and drug dealers. My Mom lives in a gated senior community down there.

[raisedbywolves]

https://kesq.com/news/2022/03/08/jur...-murder-trial/

Jury ‘hopelessly deadlocked,’ mistrial declared in Palm Springs quadruple murder trial

[Boston Babe 73]

https://kesq.com/news/2022/03/08/jur...-murder-trial/

Jury ‘hopelessly deadlocked,’ mistrial declared in Palm Springs quadruple murder trial

Ugh. That sucks.

[Bewitchingstorm]

https://kesq.com/news/2022/03/08/jur...-murder-trial/

Jury ‘hopelessly deadlocked,’ mistrial declared in Palm Springs quadruple murder trial

I can see that, as this case is all over the place.

[raisedbywolves]

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/man...erside-county/

A man convicted of a quadruple murder in Riverside County was sentenced to the death penalty, officials announced Friday.

Jose Vladimir Larin Garcia, 24, was found guilty by a jury on Feb. 6 of the execution-style murders of four people in Palm Springs, according to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

[Bewitchingstorm]

I wonder what happened/changed between having a deadlocked jury to a full conviction resulting in a death penalty sentence?