Another Relative Is the Killer, Cousin Testifies
A cousin of an Oxnard man convicted in a 1997 killing testified that another relative admitted just after the slaying to having fired the fatal shots.
Rudy Ramos is a cousin through marriage both to Efren Cruz, who was convicted of the Santa Barbara shooting, and to 28-year-old Gerardo Reyes, the man defense attorneys believe is responsible for the slaying.
Ramos’ testimony came during the first day of a hearing in Santa Barbara before Judge Frank Ochoa, who is considering whether Cruz’s conviction should be overturned.
Santa Barbara Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Hilary Dozer argued, however, that the right man is serving time for the slaying, noting that Cruz was found with gunpowder residue on his hands.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
