Veronica Paz

Case record: Veronica Paz

Background

Veronica Paz was involved in a love-triangle that led to the killing of her former boyfriend, Diego Armando Gonzales.

The offence

Diego Armando Gonzales was shot in the face, then his body was set on fire and abandoned on a hilltop at a home construction site in Orange Park Acres. The killing involved an ambush shooting death connected to a longtime on-again, off-again boyfriend.

Veronica Paz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for her role in the love-triangle ambush shooting death of her former boyfriend.

Investigation

Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy contended during Paz's 2006 trial that she plotted with her longtime on-again, off-again boyfriend Brandan Dante Perry to murder Gonzalez out of jealousy, anger and revenge. McGreevy argued that Paz wanted Gonzalez dead because she was angry that he was dating someone else but was still calling her from time to time for sex.

Paz later told Sheriff's Department investigators when she was interviewed that she intentionally took Gonzalez to the construction site because she felt Gonzalez had been "playing me" as he tried to get back with a former girlfriend.

Arrest

Orange County sheriff's investigators questioned and arrested Perry and Paz after learning about the love triangle.

Trial

July 31, 2006 — Jury selection begins

Paz's murder trial began with jury selection.

August 2006 — Conviction at trial

Paz was convicted of first-degree murder by a seven-man, five-woman jury.

The jury decided that the special-circumstance allegation that Paz was "lying in wait" to commit murder was not true. This finding saved Paz from a sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

Quotes and courtroom statements

Maria Sanchez Gonzalez, Diego's mother, said through an interpreter: "That woman is a criminal murderer who killed my son" She also said: "I miss my son a lot. That woman should not be released."

After Paz later pleaded guilty, Paz told Gonzalez' mother, father, sisters and brothers: "I am really sorry. I never thought this would happen. I didn't want him to die. "I hope some day you can find in your hearts to forgive me,"

During Paz's trial, the jury deliberated for three days after a three-week trial.

Juror Jeremy Gorr of Laguna Beach later said Paz intended that Gonzalez be beaten rather than killed: "We knew that she at least wanted Diego to be beaten. "But we had no corroboration that she wanted him killed, other than from Brandan." "It was frustrating. We all believe she should get the longest possible time. I'm very sorry for Diego's family that we couldn't reach that level."

Juror Rich Adler of Orange agreed, saying deciding Paz was guilty of first-degree murder was easy after jurors watched videotapes of four interviews Paz gave to Orange County sheriff's investigators before she was arrested. Adler said that in the fourth interview Paz said she intentionally brought Gonzalez to the construction site knowing Perry waited with a gun because she felt that Gonzalez was "playing me" as he tried to get back together with a former girlfriend.

Testimony by Brandan Dante Perry

Perry testified that Paz lured Gonzalez to an isolated construction site in Orange Park Acres with a promise of sex, while he waited in the darkness with a handgun.

Perry testified about the shooting: "He took a step forward," Perry testified. "I shot him."

Perry testified that he and Paz then recruited several friends to help destroy evidence by setting Gonzalez's body on fire and in providing them with an alibi.

Jurors later questioned whether Paz intended to have Gonzalez killed when Perry's performance on the witness stand caused jurors to question intent.

Defence

Defense attorney William Kelley, who represented Paz during her 2006 trial, argued that Paz believed she was setting up Gonzalez to be beaten, not murdered.

Sentencing

2006 — Original sentence

Superior Court Judge James A. Stotler imposed a mandatory sentence after Paz's first-degree murder conviction.

On December 15, 2006, Stotler sentenced Veronica Paz, age 24, to the maximum penalty of 25 years to life on her first-degree murder conviction. The sentence was described as 25 years to life, and Paz was described as being eligible for parole after 18 years.

Deputy District Attorney Steve McGreevy contended that Paz and Perry plotted Gonzalez's death out of jealousy, anger and revenge.

Parole eligibility after the overturned first-degree murder

It was stated that Paz would now be eligible for parole in about 2018.

Appeals

The first-degree murder conviction was overturned in 2008 by the 4th District Court of Appeal because the jury was given erroneous instructions. The case was sent back to Orange County Superior Court for a retrial.

Outcome

Veronica Paz pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder for her role in the love-triangle ambush shooting death of her former boyfriend.

Paz was sentenced to a 15-year-to-life term in prison by Superior Court Judge James A. Stotler.

Aftermath

Perry was serving a 25-year-to-life sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in 2005 for his role in the murder.

Two of the friends, Tommy Medina, 24, and Kimberly Gomez, 24, pleaded guilty to accessory to murder after the fact and were given short sentences in county jail.

Arthur Gomez, 20, pleaded guilty to accessory and was sentenced to the California Youth Authority.

Maria Sanchez Gonzalez later said she was grateful that Paz was found guilty but said she was sad Paz would have a chance for parole: "She still has her life, but my son is never coming home," "S he should never have the chance to get out. Never."

Timeline

• Nov. 10, 2003 — Veronica Paz's role in the ambush shooting death of Diego Armando Gonzales occurred, after which Gonzalez's body was set on fire and abandoned at a home construction site in Orange Park Acres
• Oct. 2003 — Gonzalez was described as being shot to death in October 2003
• Nov. 9-10, 2003 — Paz brought Gonzalez to an isolated home construction site at Orange Park Acres; they began making out in the back seat of the car; Perry arrived shortly after midnight, forced Gonzalez out of the car and shot him twice
• Nov. 12-13, 2003 — Orange County sheriff's investigators questioned and arrested Perry and Paz after learning about the love triangle
• March 28, 2006 — Perry pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in exchange for a promise of a life with parole eligibility if he testified truthfully against Paz
• July 31, 2006 — Jury selection began in Paz's murder trial
• Aug. 28, 2006 — Paz was convicted of first-degree murder
• Dec. 15, 2006 — Stotler sentenced Veronica Paz to the maximum penalty of 25 years to life on her first-degree murder conviction
• 2008 — The first-degree murder conviction was overturned by the 4th District Court of Appeal
• Feb. 10, 2011 — Paz was re sentenced to a 15-year-to-life term in prison
• February 11, 2011 — Paz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15-year-to-life term in prison; it was described as three days before jury selection was scheduled to begin for a second trial

Other details

In the timeline, it was stated that Brandan Dante Perry and Veronica Paz met in the mid-1990s while both were attending Portola Middle School, and they began an on-again, off-again romance that lasted for years.

It was stated that in the late 1990s Perry became a star running back for the Santiago High School football team until his senior year when he was ruled ineligible because of poor grades.

It was stated that in the summer of 2003 Paz began dating Diego Gonzalez after meeting him at the Stater Bros. supermarket in Orange where they both worked, while still having a relationship with Perry.

It was stated that Gonzalez reportedly broke off the relationship in September but still called Paz on occasions for sex.

It was stated that in August 2003 Perry confronted Gonzalez at a party when he saw him with Paz, and Perry was chased off when one of Gonzalez's friends or relatives brandished a gun.

It was stated that Paz was 28 at the time of the February 11, 2011 proceedings and was later described as 24 at the time of the December 15, 2006 sentencing.

It was stated that Paz briefly dated Diego Gonzalez.

It was stated that she and Perry plotted Gonzalez's death out of jealousy, anger and revenge, and that Paz was described as being a slender, dark-haired grocery clerk.

It was stated that Paz initially faced a possible life term in prison without the possibility of parole when she was arrested and charged in 2003 with committing Gonzalez's murder during the special circumstance of lying-in-wait.

It was stated that the prosecution argued she should be sentenced based on special circumstance lying in wait being true, and that jurors rejected that special-circumstance allegation.

It was stated that Paz turned in her chair at the counsel table and told Gonzalez' family she was sorry and hoped they could forgive her.