Man Guilty in Murder Case Seeks New Trial

Angry that he was not able to take the witness stand in his own defense, a 20-year-old Camarillo gang member convicted of murder last year has asked for a new trial.

Arturo Contreras Jr. was scheduled to be sentenced Friday morning but agreed to a postponement so that a hearing could be held on his allegation of inadequate representation by defense attorney Willard Wiksell.

“This is a matter I cannot overlook,” said attorney Richard Hannawalt, Contreras’ new attorney.

Hannawalt asked Judge Steven Z. Perren to consider his motion for a new trial Friday, but Perren said the seriousness of the allegation warranted a full hearing.

“I am not going to treat this cavalierly,” the judge said. An April 18 hearing date was set to discuss the matter.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Matthew Hardy said criticism of Wiksell, a veteran trial attorney, was unfounded and unfair.

“I think Mr. Wiksell did a fantastic job,” Hardy said, adding that it would have been a mistake for the defense to have Contreras testify.

Wiksell could not be reached for comment Friday.

Contreras, a former Camarillo High School student who became involved with gangs as a 17-year-old, was convicted of murder and related charges last year for the Dec. 3, 1995, shooting of a Moorpark motorist.

Contreras was one of five teenagers who went on a deadly crime spree that night, shooting first at a Camarillo house, committing a robbery in Somis and finally killing Jesus Manjarrez as he waited at a traffic light.

During the trial, Hardy told the jury that Contreras was the instigator of the crime spree and the fatal shooting.

Contreras’ cohorts all pleaded guilty or were convicted for their roles in the incident. He faces 31 years to life in prison.