Trial to be postponed in Los Banos slaying case

A homicide trial that has been in the works since 2010 will be postponed again later this week and rescheduled for some time after the new year, the Merced County District Attorney’s Office said.

Carlos Anthony Gallegos, 29, of Salinas, has pleaded not guilty to murder and carjacking in the death of Jorge Luis Zamora.

Zamora, 54, was found shot dead June 29, 2010, in his apartment on I Street in Los Banos. Police discovered the body after neighbors reported an odor coming from his home, investigators said.

Investigators have not commented on a motive for the shooting.

Walter Wall, the Merced County district attorney prosecuting the case, said he plans to dismiss the case and refile all charges against Gallegos on Friday in Merced Superior Court. Wall said prosecutors recently located new evidence in the case, and both sides need additional time to examine it. Wall said he could not comment on the nature of the newly discovered information.

“I can say that it’s critical evidence and it’s very important both sides have an opportunity to review it,” Wall said.

Wall said the procedural dismissal and refiling became necessary after Gallegos refused to waive his right to a speedy trial.

Gallegos’ attorney, Jeffrey Tenenbaum, said Wednesday that he has yet to see the new information from prosecutors.

“We’re going to take our time reviewing it,” Tenenbaum said. “Mr. Gallegos is looking forward to his trial.”

Prosecutors anticipate arraigning Gallegos on Nov. 14 and setting a preliminary hearing for Dec. 15. The trial is expected sometime after the new year.

The co-defendant in the case, Yadira Garcia Cervantes, 33, of Los Banos pleaded no contest last year to a single felony count of robbery in connection with the case, officials confirmed previously.

Investigators said Zamora’s wallet, keys and vehicle were missing from the home. Detectives tracked the missing vehicle to Gallegos’ home in Salinas, where they located some property that they said belonged to the victim.

Witnesses told police Gallegos and Cervantes had been seen driving Zamora’s vehicle in the days following the victim’s death, authorities reported.

If convicted, Gallegos faces a maximum prison sentence of life without the possibility of parole, prosecutors have said.

Gallegos remains in custody without bail at the Merced County jail.

This story was originally published November 5, 2014 at 7:25 PM with the headline "Trial to be postponed in Los Banos slaying case."