Santa Ana Man Pleads Guilty in Schoolyard Slaying

A Santa Ana man Monday pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting of the driver of a van leaving a schoolyard, an attack that triggered a public outcry and forced city officials to approve a major program to fight gang violence.

Uciel T. Murgo, 20, faces a prison term of 20 years to life for the 1992 slaying of Mauro Vergara Meza, 31, who was driving home with his brothers and friends after they had played pickup basketball at Santa Ana High School. Murgo also pleaded guilty to eight attempted-murder charges.

Because the shooting happened next to a school and because there was confusion at first about whether it was gang-related, the attack ignited debate about how to deal with increasing violence, especially gang violence, in the city.

The incident also divided city officials when one Latino councilman claimed that white council members are not responsive to problems facing minorities in Santa Ana, causing Mayor Daniel H. Young to call for an end to allegations of ethnic bias.

Police Officer Mark Edward Steen testified at the trial that Murgo, a former gang member, had told him that he had gone to the high school that night to “work out.” Murgo said a large group of gang members had gathered on some bleachers there for a gang peace conference. At some point, a van drove by, and witnesses heard a loud bang that seemed to come from the van’s side mirror, another officer testified.

Murgo told police that he thought the sound was the cocking of a gun and that he began firing at the van as he turned and ran back toward the bleachers.

Three passengers in the van were wounded, including two of Meza’s brothers. Meza, shot in the head, managed to drive away before he died.

Murgo, a security guard, claimed that he fired in self-defense and that he feared that the men in the van were grabbing for weapons. Deputy Dist. Atty. Mark A. Sevigny said there was no evidence the men in the van had guns.

Two months after the shooting, the Santa Ana City Council voted unanimously to approve a program that doubled funding for the city’s anti-gang program, urged local businesses to hire city youths, provided incentives for neighborhood improvements and created a new recreational facility.

Murgo is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16.

If Murgo had been convicted of the original charges against him, first-degree murder and eight attempted murder charges, he would have faced a maximum penalty of 64 years in prison.

A plea agreement was reached because there was no evidence the slaying was premeditated, officials said. Murgo had been shot in the past and claimed that he needed the gun for protection.

“That certainly doesn’t justify the attack, but Mr. Murgo also admitted early on his involvement and cooperated with police,” Sevigny said. “We carefully looked at all the facts and second-degree homicide appears to be the appropriate charge in this case.”