Watsonville man fit to stand trial for August 2023 deadly shooting, DA’s office says
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON APRIL 17, 2024 AT 12:32 PM- The Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office confirmed that 45-year-old Hector Rocha is now deemed fit to stand trial for allegedly killing 42-year-old Victor Alamillo in August 2023.
In a preliminary hearing on Friday, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Denine Guy deemed that Rocha was deemed competent to stand trial and criminal proceedings were reinstated per the DA's office.
In Oct. 2023, Rocha was deemed mentally incompentant to stand trial and was sent to the Department of State Hospitals and was receiving medication.
On Aug. 7 2023, Rocha allegedly shot Victor Alamillo multiple times on the 100 block of Beach Street. Watsonville Police said that Rocha drove off from the scene in a mint-green 1967 Chevrolet Truck.
Officers found Rocha on the morning of Aug. 8, 2023 when his truck got stuck in a strawberry field off of McGowan Road and Trafton Road just south of Watsonville.
The DA's Office said that Rocha is scheduled to be back in court on Thursday morning to confirm a preliminary examination.
According to the Santa Cruz County Superior Court, Rocha is facing multiple charges including six felony counts including murder, violating probation, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He did plea not guilty to all of those charges in Aug. 2023.
Rocha is currently being held at the Santa Cruz County Jail without bail.
Man suspected of Watsonville Beach Street murder deemed incompetent to stand trial
Update Oct. 19, 2023, at 5:47 p.m.- Back in early August a father of three was murdered on the 100 block of Beach Street. Now his alleged murderer is being deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial.
The family of 42-year-old victim Victor Alamillo, said they are disappointed with the Santa Cruz County Superior Court's decision. They said they would like another doctor's opinion to see if Alamillo's alleged killer Hector Rocha, 42, is fit to go on trial.
"I feel like they need to fight more for my uncle, and get a second opinion and do more to help his case because him being so called incompetent I don't believe that is is accurate, Alamillo's niece Corinna Sanchez said. "It's all affected us emotionally, mentally, as well. It's just taking a burden on all of our family, especially his three daughters that he leaves behind."
Rocha allegedly fired at his victim multiple times and drove off in a mint-green 1967 Chevrolet truck on August 7, 2023, per Watsonville Police. He was found around 11:30 a.m. the next day after getting stuck in a strawberry field off McGowan Road, just south of Watsonville.
The DA's Office said in a statement given to KION:
Mr. Rocha’s case was in court today and he is being sent to the Department of State Hospitals and will be receiving medication. After a thorough review of the case, Mr. Rocha’s medical history and medical records, and numerous interviews a Dr determined he was not competent to stand trial.
I met with the victim’s family this morning and they expressed their concerns to me. Our office has taken steps to address their concerns.
Santa Cruz County District Atorney's Office
When KION asked if there was anything that could be done to change the court's decision they responded by saying that the court had deemed Rocha medically incompetent to stand trial at this time.
Rocha's next court hearing is on Dec. 9 and that will be to determine which state hospital he will be placed into.
Alamillo's family has started a GoFundMe to raise money for an attorney to get justice for him.
ORIGINAL STORY
Update August 8, 2023, at 4:19 p.m.- The suspect accused of murdering a 42-year-old man on the 100 block of Beach Street was arraigned Friday at the Santa Cruz County Superior Court.
Hector Rocha, 42, of Watsonville pled not guilty to six felony counts including murder, violating probation, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, said the Santa Cruz County Superior Court.
He is being held on no bail. Rocha will be in court again on August 17.
Rocha allegedly fired at his victim multiple times Monday night and drove off in a mint-green 1967 Chevrolet truck. He was found around 11:30 a.m. after getting stuck in a strawberry field off McGowan Road, just south of Watsonville.
After an hours-long standoff, Rocha was arrested.
Family has identified the 42-year-old victim as Victor Alamillo. A father of three girls ages 25, 17 and 15.
"We love and miss him so much. We are all devastated," said a family member. Family of the victim has set up a gofundme to help with funeral costs.
Suspect in deadly shooting charged with murder after south Watsonville stand-off, says police
Update August 8, 2023, at 4:19 p.m.- CHP confirms with KION that law enforcement has a suspect in custody wanted in connection with a fatal Monday night shooting on the 100 block of Beach Street.
Law enforcement had the suspect surrounded for serval hours in a strawberry field off McGowan Road, just south of Watsonville. The man accused of murdering a 44-year-old man was identified as Hector Rocha, 42, of Watsonville.
CHP says the suspect was stuck in the mud and he was unable to get out. He was in a mint-green 1967 Chevrolet truck that Watsonville police sent out a "be on the lookout" warning for on Tuesday morning.
"We received information from a community member informing us they had spotted the suspect’s truck in an agricultural field near Trafton Road and Mc Gowan Road, just outside Pájaro," said Watsonville Police.
He refused to get out of the car for more than four hours. He eventually agreed to surrender.
Rocha was booked in Santa Cruz County Jail for murder said Watsonville Police.
ORIGINAL STORY
Watsonville Police are searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting on the 100 block of Beach Street Monday night.
Police said around 8:45 p.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting and found a 42-year-old man suffering multiple gunshot wounds. First responders gave immediate aid, but the man died on the scene.
During the investigation, Watsonville Police identified 44-year-old Hector Rocha as the suspect. Police describe Rocha as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, medium build, and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, khaki shorts, and white shoes.
"I'm worried because they murdered a man right next to my house. I have four kids and it worries me because one never knows. You can get hit with a stray bullet, one never knows," said a concerned neighbor.
Police add Rocha is armed and dangerous and was last seen leaving the scene in a distinct mint green 1967 Chevrolet single-cab truck with rust throughout the body and a white roof.
Police add the truck might have the following two California license plate numbers: 4JC939 / 87823K3.
If seen, you are asked to call 911 immediately and not approach Rocha. Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to call 831-471-1151.
