Gang Member Gets 24-Years-to-Life Term : Courts: Judge says Eleazar Gonzales’ murder conviction, violent background offer little hope of rehabilitation.

After handing down the harshest murder sentence possible, an Orange County Superior Court judge urged a hard-core gang member to reform, if not for himself then for his 7-year-old daughter.

But as he was led from the courtroom in shackles, Eleazar Gonzales, 25, of Santa Ana, told a courtroom marshal, “I’ll be back.”

Gonzales, called one of the city’s most dangerous gang members, was convicted of second-degree murder in the April, 20, 1990, slaying of 17-year-old Roger Ochoa, also of Santa Ana. Ochoa was shot repeatedly in the back after a dispute with Gonzales at a birthday party.

Before Judge David O. Carter imposed the 24-year-to-life sentence, the victim’s mother gave an emotional statement about the suffering her family has endured since the murder.

“He was all my hope,” Christina Martinez Ochoa of Santa Ana said about her son.

Carter refused to offer Gonzales any leniency after noting that his vicious reputation is likely to make him a popular soldier for recruitment among gangs in the prison system. Carter also said he feared Gonzales would kill again.

“I’m very concerned you are going to kill again in the joint,” Carter said. “I hope you prove me wrong,” the judge later added.

“You are an individual, who, in my opinion, is so dangerous that . . . you will never, ever, ever be subject to rehabilitation,” said Carter, after detailing Gonzales’ violent background, including his numerous drug convictions and scores of violations while in custody, including assault and battery, illegally possessing weapons, threatening guards and witnesses in his case, and engaging in inmate uprisings.

Carter added that Gonzales has also been named as a possible suspect in two additional murders. Gonzales was acquitted of the 1988 murder of gang member Juan Picon, 21, despite eyewitness testimony that Gonzales shot the victim eight times, officials said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Randolph J. Pawloski said he was pleased with the sentencing because it sends a strong message to gang members.

“In the 10 1/2 years I’ve been doing this, he is one of the most vicious, cold-blooded murderers I’ve ever seen,” Pawloski said.

The sentencing was delayed slightly because of an unusual hearing in which two jurors in the earlier trial were called to testify regarding allegations of misconduct.

William Morrissey, Gonzales’ defense attorney, said he learned that two jurors visited the scene of the crime and another juror discussed the case with his girlfriend.

After the hearing, Carter ruled that there was no evidence of jury tampering and refused to grant a new trial.

Gonzales has contended throughout the trial that he did not shoot Ochoa and is not guilty, Morrissey said.

“He’s doing as well as someone in this situation can do,” Morrissey said outside of court.