NEWBURY PARK : No Fault Found in ’89 Murder Inquiry

California attorney general’s investigators said Wednesday they found no incompetence or wrongdoing by Ventura County authorities who probed the slaying of a Newbury Park man who was beaten to death in a brawl two years ago.

John Flores, 19, died on Jan. 20, 1989, of brain injuries that he suffered during a brawl outside a party in Newbury Park.

Two men were tried for his slaying; one was convicted of assault and served 90 days in jail, and the other was acquitted of manslaughter.

The dead man’s father, Charles Flores, 48, asked the attorney general’s office to examine work done on the case by sheriff’s detectives and Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard E. Holmes.

Charles Flores was sentenced last July to five years’ probation for threatening to kill Holmes, whom he blamed for failing to win harsh penalties against his son’s accused killers.

“Our office found that neither the investigating officers from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department nor the prosecutors . . . engaged in any conduct that could be characterized as incompetent, misconduct or malfeasance in the investigation,” said Supervising Deputy Atty. Gen. John R. Gorey.

“It’s exactly what we expected,” Charles Flores said Wednesday. “It boils down to one thing: There were several people at the scene of the crime, several eyewitnesses, but no prosecution.”

“It’s a disappointment,” said his wife, Sharon. “You think the law’s on your side, and there’s kids out there walking around who killed our boy.”

Charles Flores said he has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice and intends to file a brief asking the California Supreme Court to review the investigation of his son’s death.

Flores’ complaints to the state Bar Assn., Ventura County grand jury and Superior Court have resulted in no official action being taken against Holmes.

On learning of Flores’ continued pursuit of the case, Holmes said, “Good. I’m happy to have my competence constantly confirmed.”