Opinion ID: 783483
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Murder of Ricardo Gonzales

Text: 37 On December 5, 1993, police found the body of Ricardo Rascal Gonzales in Ramona Gardens. He died of multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma to the head. Ricardo Gonzales was a Hazard gang member and brother of Mexican Mafia member Jose Joker Gonzales (who killed Ana Lizarraga for Gallardo). 38 On December 7, 1993, E. Castro recorded a conversation at Vasquez's home, during which Gallardo and Vasquez told E. Castro that Gonzales was stabbed during a shootout with Hazard gang members. Gallardo explained he went to Ramona Gardens to make[] a point because Hazard gang members were interfering with his drug trafficking operations in the area. Notably, Gallardo singled out Capone (Humberto Madrigal) and Conrad (Conrad Morales) as instigating everything. Gallardo confronted and fired shots at some Hazard gang members, who returned fire. Gallardo stated, [Gonzales] was right there Joker's brother ... I don't think I shot [Gonzales] ... you know it was Joker's brother, he didn't have that coming, it's just everything came at us, Boom! Gallardo also told E. Castro that he wanted him to know the circumstances of Gonzales's death because whatever happens, man, you know Joker's probably just gonna trip, what the fuck happen, you know, but it was just something that just unfolded right there man, it's fucked up, but I mean he brought that on himself, ay. You know. 39 Later in the recorded conversation, Vasquez picked up a switch-blade knife, made downward stabbing motions, and stated This is the one I killed his homeboy with. E. Castro testified that his homeboy referred to Ricardo Gonzales. 40 The indictment charged the murder of Ricardo Gonzales as a racketeering act, and the jury found the crime proven as to Gallardo. The jury also convicted Gallardo of Gonzales's murder to maintain or increase his position in a RICO enterprise. 41