Local News

Rice Receives Life in Prison for 3 Murders Resulting From DUI

MADERA – Friday, the Madera Superior Court sentenced Justin Eugene Rice (35) of Ventura, California, to life in prison following his conviction for 3 murders, according to District Attorney Michael Keitz.

In August 2009, Rice was traveling south on State Route 41, when he entered the northbound lane, forcing the oncoming vehicles to swerve to avoid collision. However, one vehicle, carrying 5 employees of the Chukchansi Resort and Casino, was unable to avoid Rice and suffered a horrific head on collision, causing the deaths of Elena Mendoza, Maria Rodriguez and Estella Frias.

Former Madera Prosecutor Awaits His Own Arraignment for Forgery

MADERA - The former prosecutor in the Dustin Gran murder trial is now awaiting his own trial for prosecutorial misconduct. A criminal complaint has been filed in the Madera County Superior Court against former Madera County Deputy District Attorney Edmund Gil. The one charge of misdemeanor forgery was filed by the California Attorney General's office out of Fresno.

This case stems from two motions filed in the superior courts by attorney John Garvin, lead counsel for the defense in the Dustin Gran murder case. Garvin alleged judicial misconduct in his May 2, 2013 motions against the Madera County District Attorney's Office, which included mishandling of evidence.

Madera Student Pulls Knife on Third Grader

MADERA - A Thomas Jefferson Junior High School student won't be attending school any time soon. The seventh grade student, who attended John Adams Elementary School last year, was arrested on the middle school campus Tuesday for allegedly brandishing a knife at a third grader.

The alleged attack is said to have happened after school Friday near the Jefferson campus. The victim is a male student currently attending John Adams which is located just a few blocks west of the junior high school. The suspect is a thirteen-year old Hispanic male.

Man Who Shot at Madera County Deputy Facing Multiple Counts

MADERA – While the investigation into Monday's case of attempted murder on a Peace Officer continues, Sheriff John Anderson says Sheriff’s Detectives counted at least 44 shots fired from a pickup during a pursuit that started near Chowchilla.

Abel Andrew Ramos sits behind bars now facing multiple counts of Attempted Murder on a Peace Officer, armed with a firearm while in the commission of a felony, and possession of stolen property. His bail is currently set at $1,050,000.00.

Madera Drive By Shooting Puts One in the Hospital & One in the Morgue

MADERA - Early Wednesday night officers from the Madera Police Department were dispatched to the area of Kennedy & Ellis in regards to a shooting. A witness had called Police dispatch and reported that occupants of a vehicle had shot at occupants of another vehicle at this intersection.

Upon officers arrival they located the victims in a vehicle that had run off the road a short distance from this intersection. One victim was transported to Madera Community Hospital and the other was transported to Regional Medical Center in Fresno.