Finding Justice for Billy Zara

What can you say about the mob that beat Billy Zara to death?

* That they were so brutal they thought an appropriate response to a police complaint about their noisy party was to go beat up the guy they thought had called the cops.

* That they were so stupid they attacked the wrong guy.

* That they were so cowardly it took six, eight or more of them to attack one slender 18-year-old.

* That people like this have no business terrorizing our neighborhoods, throwing an ugly shadow across the lives of decent people.

Eight members and associates of a west Ventura gang have been charged with killing Zara one recent evening. They are seven adults, including a married couple, and a 14-year-old boy. Until they are tried and convicted, those individuals are presumed innocent. May our justice system speedily determine the truth and punish the killers, whoever they are.

But even the undisputed facts of the case are enough to outrage any civilized human being:

William Scott Zara, an easy-going free spirit with a passion for music and a knack for making friends, was engrossed in playing a video game at his apartment on East Warner Street in Ventura on Sept. 25 when angry fists began pounding on his door.

Police said he grabbed a baseball bat during the attack and held it up to defend himself, but the attackers used it to beat him on the head. Before it was over, Zara had been struck with a shovel and fists, kicked in the head and stabbed. Some of the attackers held him to the ground while others kicked and beat him. Six of Zara’s neighbors, who attempted to defend him, were also attacked. Zara died the next day from massive head injuries, according to the coroner’s office.

Police said the assailants believed Zara had called authorities to complain about noise at a party at their apartment across the street. But Zara’s friends and police say someone else made that call.

Seven of the suspects were charged with murder, conspiracy to commit assault and under a third statute that makes it a crime to be a gang member or an associate who urges gang members to commit a felony. The juvenile was charged with murder and may be tried as an adult.

“Everybody’s actions led to his death,” said Ventura Police Lt. Gary McCaskill. “This couldn’t have happened without their involvement. All of these people are responsible and will be held accountable.”

That won’t bring back Billy Zara. But it could make life on East Warner Street a little more civilized.