SANTA PAULA : Man Gets 25 Years to Life in Murder

A Santa Paula man convicted in the murder of his cousin was ordered to prison Friday for 25 years to life, despite protests by his attorney that sentencing should be delayed until the defendant’s brother--the alleged killer--is brought to trial.

Superior Court Judge Allan L. Steele said nothing would be gained by postponing sentencing for Jesus M. Tellez, 21. The judge said, if he later decides the punishment for Tellez is too harsh in light of what happens to Arturo Tellez, the judge can change the sentence.

Jesus Tellez was convicted in January of first-degree murder in the June, 1991, slaying of Javier Tellez Garcia, 27, at Teague Park in Santa Paula. He also was convicted of the attempted first-degree murder of another cousin, Jose Tellez Vasquez, 32.

The shootings, part of a long-running feud among branches of the Tellez family, occurred on a Sunday afternoon, when the park was crowded with dozens of picnickers and children.

According to evidence presented at Jesus Tellez’s trial, Arturo Tellez, 24, was the actual shooter. Jesus Tellez went to the park with Arturo and helped his brother escape after the shooting, so under California law, he is equally guilty of the murder.

Both brothers disappeared after the shootings, but Jesus was arrested in Texas last June. One day after Jesus was convicted, Arturo was arrested in Denver, Colo. He is scheduled for trial April 26.

Deputy Public Defender Robert K. Willey argued in court Friday that Jesus should not stand convicted of first-degree murder unless Arturo is. Willey sought a new trial for Jesus, asking that his client go to trial with Arturo, but Steele denied the request.

Willey then asked that sentencing for Jesus be delayed until after Arturo’s trial.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Carol J. Nelson argued that Jesus Tellez is still guilty of first-degree murder even if another jury convicts Arturo of a lesser crime.