Man Sentenced for Killing His Brother
A Santa Paula man who pleaded guilty to shooting his brother to death during a family argument almost two years ago has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.
Moises Galaviz, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder after shooting his 35-year-old brother, Jose Luis Galaviz, and wounding another brother, Aurelio Galaviz.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Gregory G. Phillips said the 20-year-to-life sentence imposed Monday by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Steven Z. Perrin was fair.
“This was a domestic squabble among brothers,” Phillips said. “It’s an appropriate sentence.”
Gunfire erupted early May 30, 1994, after the three brothers argued about which one of them was the supervisor in charge of a sprawling citrus ranch in Santa Paula where all three were employed.
Moises Galaviz admitted killing Jose Luis and wounding Aurelio.
Galaviz was found unfit to stand trial, and was treated at Patton State Hospital. He later was deemed mentally competent, and pleaded guilty to the two charges, Phillips said.
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