Israel Trevino II and Izzy Trevino III at 2019 Tejano Conjunto Music Festival in San Antonio, Texas (Photo: Mariaelena Villarreal / Tejano Nation)
FRESNO, CA — The verdict in the trial of a California Conjunto musician killed in 2021 was delivered on Monday in a Fresno County court. Joe Gomez Jr. was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon following five days of testimony and about six hours of deliberation, according to gvwire.com.
Gomez was charged with the shooting death of Israel Trevino Jr., a former state corrections officer and bass player for the local band Los Hooligans, on May 2, 2021. He was also found guilty of the attempted murder of Trevino’s son, Israel Trevino III, also known as Izzy, and assault with a deadly weapon for pulling a knife on Trevino Jr.’s uncle, Vinny.
GV Wire reports the courtroom was filled with emotion as the verdict was read, with family members of both the victims and the defendant present. Some were seen sobbing as Gomez sat silently, showing no reaction to the court clerk’s announcement.
Prosecutor Nicole Idiart expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “I am pleased with the verdict and thank the jurors for their time and dedication to the case. The Trevino family deserved justice, and that is what they got with this verdict,” prosecutor Idiart told GV Wire.
Defense attorney Tony Capozzi, who had argued self-defense on behalf of Gomez, called the verdict “very surprising” and indicated plans to motion for consideration of a lesser offense.
Gomez now faces a sentence of 85 years to life. The sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10, in the courtroom of Judge Arlan Harrell.
Joe Gomez, Jr (Photo: Fresno Country Sheriff’s Office)
Testimonies during the trial revealed that Gomez had a history of driving his car in front of the Parlier home of Israel Trevino Sr., the deceased victim’s father, and revving the engine. This behavior also occurred on the day of the incident. As the Trevinos sat in their garage playing music, Gomez got out of his vehicle, leading to a scuffle. Gomez then pulled out his gun, shooting and killing Trevino Jr., and injuring Trevino III.
Vinny Trevino managed to wrestle the gun away from Gomez, who then pulled a knife on him in an attempt to retrieve the weapon. Gomez was arrested by police after fleeing the scene.
Despite the defense’s argument that Gomez had retreated during the incident and used self-defense when Trevino Jr. and Trevino III continued the attack, the jury sided with the prosecution. Capozzi maintained that Gomez, who worked as a security guard, carried the weapons legally.
The Trevinos, all of whom were members of the conjunto band, have been left to grapple with the loss and the aftermath of the violent incident. Los Hooligans established a unique sound within the Conjunto music scene with the release of their debut album in 2011. The memory of Israel Trevino Jr. is honored through the music he left behind.
Source: gvwire.com
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