Man convicted of attempted murder of two Watsonville officers denied parole

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION) A man convicted of attempted murder of two Watsonville police officers was denied parole Wednesday at the Salinas Valley State Prison, according to the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office.

The DA's Office said he also caused life-threatening injuries to a fellow inmate and caused a correctional officer to lose consciousness.

The incident happened in May 1999 when investigators said Manuel Murillo stole a truck at gunpoint in Monterey, drank alcohol, took cocaine and picked up three strangers.

The next morning, Corporal Murray with Watsonville police saw the truck and approached it. That is when investigators said Murillo fired multiple shots at Murray. He hit Murray twice in the leg before speeding away down Main Street in the wrong direction.

Murillo led officers on a high-speed chase, and he continued to fire shots. He hit a Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office patrol car and fired shots at Officer Chagnon with Watsonville police.

The chase ended when Murillo hit another truck on Soquel Drive near Cabrillo College.

The DA's Office said a bone in Murray's leg was shattered below the knee, Chagnon was treated for several injuries and the other driver was gravely injured with multiple fractured bones. The three people in the truck with Murillo had minor injuries.

Since he has been in prison, the DA's Office said Murillo has continued to be violent and has been involved in several incidents, including one in which he caused life-threatening injuries to another inmate and caused a correctional officer to lose consciousness.

“The defendant lacks both the insight and remorse and
continues to be violent. We sincerely thank the officers and agencies who helped us in objecting to the defendant’s release," said Assistant District Attorney Yukiko Orii.