Teenager accused of murdering Maddy Middleton will be tried as an adult

UPDATE 7/30/15: The teenager accused of kidnapping, tying up, raping and killing 8-year-old Madyson Middleton last Sunday in a Santa Cruz apartment will be charged as an adult. That was the word from the District Attorney Wednesday on the case against Adrian Jerry “A.J.” Gonzalez.

“We’re confident in the charges we file and justice demand the charges we file are filed appropriately,” Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell said during a news conference.

As more information about the charges against the suspect is released, the public is also finding out more about the teen at the center of this case.

Wednesday’s announcement by Rosell came just one day after the Santa Cruz Police Department updated its investigation into the death of Middleton.

“Unfortunately, the search for Maddy ended in the worst possible way. We’re here today to talk about the charges that are being filed and have been filed in the case,” Rosell said.

That criminal complaint is seven pages long and includes six counts and 12 special allegations.

“I’m here today to tell you that charges have been filed Adrian Jerry Gonzalez and that those charges have been filed as an adult; that we have filed charges of murder including circumstances of lying in wait and committed during the course of a sexual assault and kidnapping,” Rosell said.

One man at the news conference said he had to hear the charges against his young neighbor for himself, after having suspicions about Gonzalez’s actions during the investigation.

“Every time I spoke to you guys, or the police or the FBI, he’d be like, “Any updates?” I would be like, “Dude, why do you keep asking me my brother? You asking everybody?” Sotoro Garcia said.

Garcia said he’s lived next door to Gonzalez for six years and described him as a quiet kid.

Rosell said Gonzalez won’t face the death penalty because he is a minor, but he could be looking at life in prison if convicted as an adult. Garcia said he’s saddened for both families involved.

“One family man, we are like one family. A tight-knit community,” Garcia said.

Garcia said Gonzalez’s mother has left the Tannery since her son’s arrest.

“Just kind of like pray and everything will be OK, you know, because he’s 15 and he’s looking at life,” Garcia said.

Rosell declined to answer many questions, repeatedly saying the details of the case will come out during the trial.

PREVIOUS STORY: In a news conference Wednesday morning, Santa Cruz District Attorney Jeff Rosell announced that 15-year-old Adrian Jerry Gonzalez will be tried as an adult in the murder of 8-year-old Maddy Middleton.

NewsChannel 5 would normally not name a minor involved in a juvenile case, however the District Attorney released Gonzalez’s name Wednesday at the news conference so we have made the decision to release it as well.

Gonzalez is being charged with 1 count of murder with special circumstance counts that include sexual assault, kidnapping, and lying in wait.

Gonzalez will be arraigned at the Santa Cruz Superior Courthouse Thursday morning, but is being held in juvenile hall.

DA Rosell explained that although Gonzalez is being tried as an adult, he is not eligible for the death penalty by law; he will however face life in prison.

Click here to view the entire court document filed against Gonzalez:

Santa Cruz County court document on murder case against Adrian Gonzalez