Man Gets Probation for Making Threats

A Newbury Park man was sentenced Wednesday to five years probation for threatening to kill a Ventura County prosecutor.

Charles Flores, 48, balked at first, but accepted the sentence when Superior Court Judge Charles R. McGrath gave him a choice: probation or prison.

Flores was convicted May 21 of threatening great bodily injury or death for a Feb. 6 phone conversation during which he said he would kill Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard E. Holmes.

Flores blamed Holmes for failing to win harsh punishment for the two men accused of killing his son, John Flores, 19, in a brawl in Newbury Park on Jan. 20, 1989. One man served 90 days in jail and received five years probation for aggravated assault, and the other was acquitted of manslaughter.

Flores refused to accept probation on Tuesday at his sentencing hearing, which McGrath continued so Flores could talk to his lawyer. Wednesday, Flores tried again to refuse.

McGrath told Flores he could go to state prison for refusing probation, and asked, “Is that what you want to do?”

“No sir,” Flores replied. He asked for a moment to talk to Deputy Atty. Gen. Patrick Brooks, who prosecuted Flores to avoid a conflict of interest with the district attorney.”I gave you 24 hours,” McGrath snapped. “I want your answer and I want it now.”

Flores hesitated, then muttered, “I accept.”

In addition to five years of probation, Flores received a 120-day jail sentence, which McGrath vacated because of the 92 days Flores spent in jail awaiting trial. McGrath ordered Flores to stay away from Holmes and the courthouse, to undergo psychotherapy and to carry no guns.

Outside the courtroom, Flores told reporters he would keep hunting for answers about his son’s case, but did not elaborate.

He said of Holmes, “I think I’m gonna get rid of him now. I think I can do it.” Asked to explain, Flores said he would try to get him fired.

Told of the threat, Holmes said later, “As usual, Mr. Flores has it all backwards. . . . He threatened to kill me and now I’m supposed to apologize to him.” He added, “Instead of going through legal procedures and letting me alone, he wants to destroy things.”

The attorney general’s office is continuing its investigation into Holmes’ handling of John Flores’ case, which it began at Charles Flores’ request.