DISTRICT ATTORNEY ROD PACHECO
LISTS TOP 10 HOMICIDE CASES OF 2007

RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, May 5, 2008: District Attorney Rod Pacheco announced today the list of the Top 10 homicide cases of the year for 2007. The list represents the most extraordinary, high profile, and milestone cases from jury trials throughout Riverside County.

"These crimes were committed against innocent people by some of the worst members of society and prosecuted by the best and most talented experienced attorneys dedicated to keeping our communities safe," District Attorney Pacheco said.

Mario Gonzalez, Jesse Nava, and Jerry Reynolds

In a long, unsolved case from the Coachella Valley, three men, Mario Vera Gonzalez, Jesse Dean Nava, and Jerry Eugene Reynolds, were convicted of first degree murder in a Hollywood-style murder-for-hire plot. In October, 1997, Bernardo Gouthier, the son of a former Brazilian ambassador to the United Nations, was shot to death at his La Quinta Sculpture Park estate. Gouthier had an affair with the estranged wife of multimillionaire Pattison Hayton III who ordered the hit on Gouthier. Hayton later died of a heart attack in London in 2003. Gonzalez is now serving 25 years to life in state prison while Nava and Reynolds were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Rosalind Miller who was named Felony Prosecutor of the Year for her work on this case.

Gigi Fairchild Littlefield

In another case from the Coachella Valley, Gigi Littlefield in the homicide of her boyfriend who was murdered for money owed on a statue created by Littlefield's artist friend Marcus Lyons. Littlefield was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Johnathan Ross Luther

In Riverside, Johnathan Ross Luther was convicted of first degree murder for the 2003 shooting death of retired La Sierra University professor Brian Jacques. Luther was sentenced to the death penalty. Prosecutor Angel Bermudez is now a Riverside Superior Court judge.

Janett Guadalupe Hernandez

Janett Guadalupe Hernandez was convicted of first degree murder for helping her boyfriend, Miguel Cerda, kidnap, rape, and murder her best friend, Jacqueline Mendoza. Mendoza was shot and left to die on Highway 60 in Moreno Valley. Cerda was also convicted of murder during a separate trial. Both were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Senior Deputy District Attorney Michelle Paradise prosecuted this case.

Javier Terrones

In Southwest Riverside County, Deputy District Attorney John Henry prosecuted the case of Javier Terrones who was convicted of murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and child endangerment. Terrones drove his Cadillac Esacalade more than 90 miles per hour on Interstate 215 while in a jealous rage after an argument with his wife. His 4-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter were in the car. The vehicle became airborne as it hit the embankment on the Clinton Keith Road overpass and landed on top of another vehicle. The 4-year-old boy was ejected and died from massive head trauma. Terrones is now serving 35 years to life in state prison

Tony Ricky Yonko

In a record-setting case at the Southwest Justice Center, Tony Yonko was sentenced to the death penalty, the first-ever at this courthouse. Yonko was convicted of first degree murder for the brutal, senseless killing of Paul Ngo during a botched burglary of Ngo's home. Ngo was bludgeoned to death after Yonko slammed a hammer into his head 15 times. Ngo's 7 and 9-year-old sons came upon the grisly scene after walking home from school when their father failed to pick them up. Supervising Deputy District Attorney Steve Gallon prosecuted this case.

Justin Heath Thomas

The man accused of killing Rafael Noriega during a 1992 drug deal in Moreno Valley was convicted of first degree murder. Justin Heath Thomas was previously convicted of murder for killing a woman in Texas in 1996 and was sentenced to life in prison. He was extradited to California in 2000 to face murder charges in Riverside County where he was convicted of all charges and sentenced to death. Assistant District Attorney Chuck Hughes prosecuted this milestone case.

Billy Ray Castleberry

A father accused of killing his 12-year-old son was convicted of second degree murder after three jury trials. Billy Ray Castleberry claimed he didn't know the gun was loaded when he accidentally shot his son. Evidence presented by Senior Deputy District Attorney Mike Hestrin proved otherwise that Castleberry shot his son out of anger after the boy discovered his father in an uncompromising situation and began asking questions. Castleberry is now serving 40 years to life in state prison.

Tony Lee Reynolds

In another highly publicized case, Tony Lee Reynolds was charged with the rape and murder of a young pregnant Riverside woman and her unborn child. Reynolds pled guilty to the murders and to the sexual assault of another Riverside woman on the eve of trial. He was ultimately sentenced to the death penalty. Reynolds committed suicide in prison. Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Hestrin prosecuted this case.

Javier William Victorianne

Michael Hestrin also prosecuted the death penalty case of Javier Victorianne, a parolee charged with the brutal rape and murder of a Riverside woman in 1999 and a young girl from Banning in 2000. Victorianne was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to the death penalty.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Mike Hestrin was named Riverside County Prosecutor of the Year for his work on the Castleberry, Reynolds, and Victorianne cases.