Defendant Sentenced for Murdering Neighbor Over House Party

DATE:  February 3, 2020

CASE:  Mario Junior Garcia (Case #16FE015384)

PROSECUTOR:  Deputy District Attorney Matt Chisholm, Homicide Unit

The Honorable Laurie Earl sentenced Mario Junior Garcia to 40 years to life in prison.  On October 1, 2019, a jury convicted Garcia of the second-degree murder of Talanoa Feinga.  The jury also found that Garcia personally used a firearm in the commission of the murder.

Mario Junior Garcia and the victim were neighbors.  Garcia was behaving recklessly in the neighborhood, including hosting large parties with loud music and alcohol.  After one of the parties on July 17, 2016, a shooting occurred outside of Garcia’s home.  One bullet went through the victim’s living room window and lodged in the wall, and four other bullets hit cars parked in front of the victim’s home.  The victim reported this to law enforcement and confronted Garcia about the damage to the victim’s house.  Garcia agreed to pay for some of the damage but never followed through.  On Sunday night August 8, 2016, Garcia had another large party with loud music and approximately 100 attendees.  The victim and other neighbors attempted to shut down the party by calling 911 and attempting to speak to Garcia.  An argument ensued between Garcia and the victim.  Without warning, Garcia pulled out a gun and shot the victim three times in the chest.  The victim retreated to his home, where his wife and other family members attempted to stop the bleeding.  The victim was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.  Garcia fled from the scene.  He surrendered to law enforcement approximately 36 hours later.

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