After 7 Months, Reluctant Witness Must Stay in Jail

A Santa Ana man who has been in jail for more than seven months for refusing to testify in a murder case will remain in custody until he agrees to talk before a grand jury, a Superior Court judge ruled Friday.

Judge Michael Brenner in a closed hearing ruled that Ronald Lawrence Azevedo, 21, must stay in jail until he agrees to testify against two reputed gang members suspected in the 1992 killing of a young teacher’s aide at a birthday party in Santa Ana, Deputy Dist. Atty. Mark A. Sevigny said.

“We’re not interested in punishing Mr. Azevedo,” Sevigny said. “This is a remedy we use only when we believe this is the only way to produce the evidence needed in a very serious crime.”

But his attorney Frederick McBride said he believes his client will never talk and that keeping him in jail is more of a punishment than an incentive.

Azevedo could remain in jail until he testifies or until the 1993-94 grand jury steps down in June, Sevigny said.

Authorities said they believe that Azevedo has information about the Feb. 3, 1992, shooting of Joel Davalos. Davalos and his wife Sylvia, both 21, were attending a birthday party when gunmen burst into the back yard and opened fire. Joel Davalos was killed and his wife was critically wounded. Police determined that the victims were mistakenly targeted as rival gang members.

Azevedo, who was initially charged with the murder along with Artemio Rios, 22, Luis Plascencia, 21, and Joseph Florencio Arvizu, 21, was given immunity to testify against the others.

According to police, Azevedo did not participate in the shooting but admitted that he drove the gunmen to the home and waited outside while the shooting took place.