Prison guards to be tried for voluntary manslaughter
Superior Court Judge John Trice ruled Friday that two prison guards will stand trial for voluntary manslaughter, after their attorneys asked the charges be dismissed.
The defendants are Sergio Aranda, 35, of Salinas and Travis Woolf, 36 of San Miguel. They are charged with killing 54-year-old Alvaro Jaramillo Medrano of San Miguel. Medrano died during a fight with the suspects on Sept. 7 outside the Elkhorn Bar in San Miguel. The defendants were employed as correctional officers at Salinas Valley State Prison in Monterey County.
Before the preliminary hearing began, more than 50 supporters of the victim arrived at the courthouse, some wearing shirts saying “Justice for Alvaro.” The defendants also had supporters.
For a detailed report of the bar fight and courtroom hearing, read the SLO Tribune story.
Family of Alvaro Medrano issues statement:
Alvaro Medrano
“We want to thank the thousands of friends, neighbors, vineyard owners, wine makers and community members who have shown their support by sharing memories of Alvaro, helping our family during this very difficult time and demanding Justice for Alvaro,” said Mayra Medrano, Alvaro’s youngest daughter. “His killing was tragic and senseless and we are all heartbroken.”
“The surveillance video evidence presented in court today is clear and tells the truth, the correctional
officers beat Alvaro when he was defenseless and helpless, causing his death,” said Alvaro Medrano, Jr. Alvaro’s son. “We hoped for quicker arrests and now expect aggressive prosecution and maximum sentencing for those responsible.”
“The brutality of these so called law enforcement officials is unconscionable,” said Ken Riding, owner of La Vista Vineyard in Paso Robles and friend of Medrano. “Our community and justice system must send a clear message to everyone, including the law enforcement community, that no one is above the Law.”
Medrano managed La Vista Vineyard in Paso Robles with Riding. “Alvaro worked with me at La Vista Vineyard for about seven years. We had a very good time together and successfully grew the vineyard from brand new plants to a flourishing and very well regarded vineyard in the wine industry. All because of Alvaro, of course! He was always a soft spoken man, compassionate, selfless and desiring to help in any way he could. Alvaro will be sorely missed by me and my family,” added Riding.
What Happened
Alvaro Medrano, Sr. was senselessly and tragically killed by off‐duty correctional officers in the street in his neighborhood in downtown San Miguel, CA on September 7, 2014. According to reports, Alvaro was confronted and then beaten by the correctional officers. Alvaro was transported to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
The sheriff’s officers initially interviewed the correctional officers involved in Alvaro’s killing and released them at the scene. On September 18, 2014, the Sheriff obtained arrest warrants for two correctional officers from Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, CA on voluntary manslaughter charges. Both posted bail and neither is in custody today.
About Alvaro Medrano
Alvaro Medrano, Sr. was an American success story. He came to the United States at age 12, by himself with nothing. He married Carmen and they raised five children and nine grandchildren. Alvaro became a United States Citizen and worked tirelessly to provide for his wife and children and make a better life for his family. Alvaro was the patriarch of the family. His family and friends were everything to him and
Alvaro meant everything to his family and friends.
During his successful 40-year career, Alvaro was a highly respected vineyard manager and consultant, planting and managing thousands of acres of grape vines for many well‐known vineyards and wineries throughout San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties. He was widely known as a grape growing expert, with a strong work ethic and values and easy going style.
Alvaro worked with many ranches, vineyards, wineries and winemakers during his career including Halter Ranch, J. Lohr Vineyards, Denner Vineyards, Kiamie Wine Cellars, Ranchero Cellars, Tablas Creek, Ecluse Wines and countless others. He was most recently full time vineyard manager at La Vista Vineyards in Paso Robles.
Alvaro was highly respected and liked by everyone in the community. He was loved deeply by his wife, children and grandchildren, neighbors, business colleagues and friends.
Alvaro’s Friends
“Alvaro had a tremendous knowledge of farming and viticulture as well as a generous spirit,” said, Don Ackerman, Alvaro’s friend and Director of Grower Relations, Central Coast, Constellation Brands, Inc. “He was a great man and friend.” Ackerman has known the Medrano family for more than 20 years and Alvaro was his right hand man when they managed vineyards together in Hames Valley in South Monterey County.
“Alvaro was someone who led by example, with incomparable integrity and values,” said Woody Woodruff, Alvaro’s friend and Owner of Woody Woodruff Construction, Inc. Medrano recently shared with Woodruff how happy and content he was with his family, work and life. “That’s what makes this so much more incomprehensible,” Woodruff added.
“Alvaro was a mentor and inspired me to perfect vineyard management,” said John Walters, a longtime Medrano family friend who owns and manages more than 1,000 acres of vineyards in the region. “He shared his vast experience and knowledge always with humility and kindness. Alvaro was a dear friend and will be deeply missed.”
More than 1,000 of Alvaro’s business colleagues, friends, vineyard owners and concerned citizens have expressed their support for the Medrano family and called for Justice for Alvaro. For more information visit and www.justiceforalvaro.org.
From the Tribune — sworn testimony to the Court:
"Much of the key testimony came from Danielle Boatwright, who was bartending at the Elkhorn on Sept. 7. On that day, the two defendants, along with a third prison guard not charged, were at the bar watching football and listening to country music on the jukebox.
While Boatwright did not recognize the men — guards at Salinas Valley State Prison — she did recognize Medrano, who was at the bar with son-in-law Dakotah Lovelace. According to testimony, Lovelace was “mad-dogging” the guards, giving them dirty looks. Some words were also exchanged, but the tension appeared to pass, especially when Woolf and Aranda bought Medrano beers.
Ten minutes after Boatwright announced a last call, Medrano and Lovelace left while the prison guards remained to finish their drinks.
Outside the bar, phone records show, Medrano called a friend, one of three men who arrived in a car.
While Medrano’s friends later referred to Woolf as “el Grande” — the big one — they called Medrano “don,” a term used for a respected member of the community.
Woolf’s attorney, Ilan Funke-Bilu, said that because of that status Medrano’s friends quickly came when summoned.
When Medrano and the others re-entered the bar, Boatwright said she looked at Medrano and said, “What are you doing? Please go home” and threatened to call police. “I said, ‘I want to go home to my kids. If I call the police, I can’t go home to my kids.’”
Medrano and the others did leave the building, but not before Medrano offered parting words to the guards: “We’ll be waiting for you.”
Boatwright said she urged the guards to stay inside the bar.
“I was definitely scared of the group that was outside,” she said.
At some point, she said, the guards followed. She remembers them trying to calm the crowd, which she estimated to be around six or seven men with Medrano. Surveillance videos showed five men.
Eventually, fighting began. Medrano’s friends said the guards were the initial aggressors. Woolf, who is 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, punched and headbutted multiple men, they said, most of whom were under 5-foot-8.
Medrano was 5-foot-6 and roughly 185 pounds.
A portion of the fight was captured on surveillance videos. In the videos, Medrano is seen approaching Woolf, who backs up slightly in a fighting stance. Woolf punches Medrano in the face, knocking Medrano down. Medrano gets up, stumbling, and walks toward Woolf again. As the two circle, Woolf punches Medrano again, sending him to the ground. As Medrano lay unconscious, Aranda walks by and kicks him.
Then, pursued by the guards, the men run from the scene.
“They all disperse like rats on a sinking ship while their leader, their don, is dying,” Funke-Bilu said, noting that the guards returned to check on Medrano.
Wilson noted that Medrano’s friends didn’t speak to police for five days.
When sheriff’s Deputy James Silverstein arrived on the scene, he said Woolf put his hands behind his back and said, “Arrest me.” When Silverstein asked why, he said, Woolf responded, “Because I hit him.”
Deputies didn’t arrest Woolf and Aranda that night but took them into custody 11 days later.
Medrano, who had a 0.29 blood-alcohol level, died of blunt force trauma before an ambulance could deliver him to a hospital."
Thank you Lynn for sharing the facts.
i m sorry for what happen to Alvaro, but some of the places you saying hi work for are not true… why lied on that?
I notice the article plagiarized justiceforalvaro.org. Verbiage from that site is cut and pasted here without quotes or attribution. I am sure they don't mind but it is plagiarism all the same.
The bias expressed is hardly news, it is one sided and inflammatory.
The victim instigated the fight by calling for backup and re-entering the bar to call the 2 outside. This doesn't excuse kicking a man who is on the ground in the head but it certainly shows this was mutual combat gone overboard as opposed to an unproved assault.
Shame on all involved, including the victim and this so called news paper.
The copy was sent to us from the family as a press release with a request that it be printed. We republished it in full under the attributing headline “Family of Alvaro Medrano issues statement:”. I see they also chose to publish it on that website, which is fine.
Elkhorn+DRUNKS= problems. The workers thought they were going to a fist fight…the guards thought they were at work and needed to hurt someone bad for entertainment….murder…..maybe kick someone while there down….wonder if they ever did that before?????hmmmmm….ya think……murder…They should have used common sense and some restraint…..instead their tuff guy personas came out and they did what their used to doing EVERYDAY at work….hurt someone………..murder.
So glad you clarified the article above. Why did it NOT mention that the man who died went & got his so-called buddies to come to the bar to pursue a brawl? Don't get me wrong, the whole scenario is tragic, not to mention stupid on ALL the mens part. Look at what ALL these men did to cause many people to suffer. Seems to be ALL of their faults. Besidess, who goes to dumps like this Elkhorn place if they are not looking for trouble? And where were the bouncers? Why was one lone female left to tend to a place full of unruly drunken men alone?
Unfortunately, most prison guards today are bottom-feeding scum.
So where did you get that testimony at?? That is what i would like to know….Or how did the tribune get it and what did you add to it why not copy and past the orginal from the tribune who knows what you put in different???? Lets wait until all the facts are out before anything more is said….. Prison Guards always think they are above the law just like everyone else that works for places such as that so please refrain from saying anything until everything is proven in COURT!!!!!! And yes i know the family very well……..
The judge said even though Medrano summoned a posse to assist him, the COs could have left. I hope the judge finds himself in similar situation. Voluntary, indeed. Good job, Lynne
Susan Love-Guillen The link to the Tribune story is given near the top of this article where it says "For a detailed report of the bar fight and courtroom hearing, read the SLO Tribune story" or go to this link http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/11/14/3350157_alvaro-medrano-death-court-hearing.html?rh=1. I didn't copy the entire story because of copyright restrictions, but yes, everyone should read the original article.
Easy there some are. My dad just retired after 25 years of being one. He is the kindest man I know. He was always respected by the prison population and did good for them instead of evil. Not all are corrupt.
But yes. There are some total crooked ass cops and correctional officers out there with hot heads who think they are above the law. Happy my dad isn't one of them. BUT the ones who are need to be punished. They shouldn't get away with the stuff they do.
From the Tribune — sworn testimony to the Court:
"Much of the key testimony came from Danielle Boatwright, who was bartending at the Elkhorn on Sept. 7. On that day, the two defendants, along with a third prison guard not charged, were at the bar watching football and listening to country music on the jukebox.
While Boatwright did not recognize the men — guards at Salinas Valley State Prison — she did recognize Medrano, who was at the bar with son-in-law Dakotah Lovelace. According to testimony, Lovelace was “mad-dogging” the guards, giving them dirty looks. Some words were also exchanged, but the tension appeared to pass, especially when Woolf and Aranda bought Medrano beers.
Ten minutes after Boatwright announced a last call, Medrano and Lovelace left while the prison guards remained to finish their drinks.
Outside the bar, phone records show, Medrano called a friend, one of three men who arrived in a car.
While Medrano’s friends later referred to Woolf as “el Grande” — the big one — they called Medrano “don,” a term used for a respected member of the community.
Woolf’s attorney, Ilan Funke-Bilu, said that because of that status Medrano’s friends quickly came when summoned.
When Medrano and the others re-entered the bar, Boatwright said she looked at Medrano and said, “What are you doing? Please go home” and threatened to call police. “I said, ‘I want to go home to my kids. If I call the police, I can’t go home to my kids.’”
Medrano and the others did leave the building, but not before Medrano offered parting words to the guards: “We’ll be waiting for you.”
Boatwright said she urged the guards to stay inside the bar.
“I was definitely scared of the group that was outside,” she said.
At some point, she said, the guards followed. She remembers them trying to calm the crowd, which she estimated to be around six or seven men with Medrano. Surveillance videos showed five men.
Eventually, fighting began. Medrano’s friends said the guards were the initial aggressors. Woolf, who is 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, punched and headbutted multiple men, they said, most of whom were under 5-foot-8.
Medrano was 5-foot-6 and roughly 185 pounds.
A portion of the fight was captured on surveillance videos. In the videos, Medrano is seen approaching Woolf, who backs up slightly in a fighting stance. Woolf punches Medrano in the face, knocking Medrano down. Medrano gets up, stumbling, and walks toward Woolf again. As the two circle, Woolf punches Medrano again, sending him to the ground. As Medrano lay unconscious, Aranda walks by and kicks him.
Then, pursued by the guards, the men run from the scene.
“They all disperse like rats on a sinking ship while their leader, their don, is dying,” Funke-Bilu said, noting that the guards returned to check on Medrano.
Wilson noted that Medrano’s friends didn’t speak to police for five days.
When sheriff’s Deputy James Silverstein arrived on the scene, he said Woolf put his hands behind his back and said, “Arrest me.” When Silverstein asked why, he said, Woolf responded, “Because I hit him.”
Deputies didn’t arrest Woolf and Aranda that night but took them into custody 11 days later.
Medrano, who had a 0.29 blood-alcohol level, died of blunt force trauma before an ambulance could deliver him to a hospital."
Thank you Lynn for sharing the facts.
i m sorry for what happen to Alvaro, but some of the places you saying hi work for are not true… why lied on that?
I notice the article plagiarized justiceforalvaro.org. Verbiage from that site is cut and pasted here without quotes or attribution. I am sure they don't mind but it is plagiarism all the same.
The bias expressed is hardly news, it is one sided and inflammatory.
The victim instigated the fight by calling for backup and re-entering the bar to call the 2 outside. This doesn't excuse kicking a man who is on the ground in the head but it certainly shows this was mutual combat gone overboard as opposed to an unproved assault.
Shame on all involved, including the victim and this so called news paper.
The copy was sent to us from the family as a press release with a request that it be printed. We republished it in full under the attributing headline “Family of Alvaro Medrano issues statement:”. I see they also chose to publish it on that website, which is fine.
Elkhorn+DRUNKS= problems. The workers thought they were going to a fist fight…the guards thought they were at work and needed to hurt someone bad for entertainment….murder…..maybe kick someone while there down….wonder if they ever did that before?????hmmmmm….ya think……murder…They should have used common sense and some restraint…..instead their tuff guy personas came out and they did what their used to doing EVERYDAY at work….hurt someone………..murder.
So glad you clarified the article above. Why did it NOT mention that the man who died went & got his so-called buddies to come to the bar to pursue a brawl? Don't get me wrong, the whole scenario is tragic, not to mention stupid on ALL the mens part. Look at what ALL these men did to cause many people to suffer. Seems to be ALL of their faults. Besidess, who goes to dumps like this Elkhorn place if they are not looking for trouble? And where were the bouncers? Why was one lone female left to tend to a place full of unruly drunken men alone?
Unfortunately, most prison guards today are bottom-feeding scum.
So where did you get that testimony at?? That is what i would like to know….Or how did the tribune get it and what did you add to it why not copy and past the orginal from the tribune who knows what you put in different???? Lets wait until all the facts are out before anything more is said….. Prison Guards always think they are above the law just like everyone else that works for places such as that so please refrain from saying anything until everything is proven in COURT!!!!!! And yes i know the family very well……..
The judge said even though Medrano summoned a posse to assist him, the COs could have left. I hope the judge finds himself in similar situation. Voluntary, indeed. Good job, Lynne
Susan Love-Guillen The link to the Tribune story is given near the top of this article where it says "For a detailed report of the bar fight and courtroom hearing, read the SLO Tribune story" or go to this link http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2014/11/14/3350157_alvaro-medrano-death-court-hearing.html?rh=1. I didn't copy the entire story because of copyright restrictions, but yes, everyone should read the original article.
Easy there some are. My dad just retired after 25 years of being one. He is the kindest man I know. He was always respected by the prison population and did good for them instead of evil. Not all are corrupt.
But yes. There are some total crooked ass cops and correctional officers out there with hot heads who think they are above the law. Happy my dad isn't one of them. BUT the ones who are need to be punished. They shouldn't get away with the stuff they do.