A Santa Barbara County Superior Court jury found a Santa Maria man guilty of first-degree murder this week for killing a rival gang member from Guadalupe in 2021 after shooting him 15 times in the back.

Alfredo Alaniz, 25, of Santa Maria, was accused of fatally shooting Mario Angel Merino Gonzalez, 19, of Guadalupe, around 2 a.m. on May 16, 2021. The killing occurred near North Lincoln and West Mill streets, a block west of North Broadway, Santa Maria police said.

The shooting came after a confrontation between members of two groups  — one being West Park gang members including Alaniz, known by the moniker of “Psyko.” The other included Gonzalez, a Guadalupe 13 gang member, and two friends.

Deputy District Attorney Nicholas Harmon presented a series of videos and pictures showing the defendant in distinctive clothing before, during and after the shooting. 

“The evidence in this case is overwhelming,” Harmon said during closing arguments this week. “It shows the defendant is guilty of first-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt.” 

Testimony revealed Merino Gonzalez had been shot 16 times, once in the wrist and 15 times in his back.

The shooting occurred behind a parked vehicle, but muzzle flashes could be seen by the shooter standing over the body, Harmon said, with video showing the defendant following the victim into the street.

A woman, previously married to a fellow gang member and friend of Alaniz, claimed she heard the man admit his role in the killing when the suspect showed up at their Las Vegas home following the shooting. 

“She had everything to lose, nothing to gain, but she told you the whole truth,” Harmon said.

Alaniz and friends went to Arroyo Grande after the shooting and he later traveled to Las Vegas, where he was taken into custody weeks later, police said. 

“You can use his flight to show he was aware of his guilt,” Harmon said. 

Defense attorney Lori Pedego pointed out the circumstantial evidence against her client,  including a lack of fingerprints or DNA to directly tie him to the crime.

“I think it’s pretty clear there’s no direct evidence my client Mr. Alaniz shot anyone back in 2021,” Pedego said during closing arguments.

She also warned jurors that some witnesses’ testimony, such as the victim’s mom, and graphic photos of the bleeding victim lying on the street or his back filled with bullet holes during autopsy, were presented to spark emotion.

“They provided no evidence to prove who shot Mario Merino Gonzalez,” Pedego said.  

She urged jurors to ask for witnesses’ testimony to be read back and to rewatch videos during deliberations.

“The video does not show a gun,” Pedego said.

The defense attorney also pointed out witnesses’ testimony differed during the trial from what they provided to law enforcement officers in 2021. 

She also argued the young mother who claimed Alaniz confessed to the murder had lied, and that she didn’t fear taking the witness stand. 

“It doesn’t pass the smell test,” Pedego said.

The woman has since moved from Las Vegas back to Santa Maria and her husband’s death means he can’t impeach her credibility, Pedego added.

The trial in Judge Kristy Imel’s courtroom began with jury selection in September. 

Closing arguments occurred Monday after a two-week break due to the Thanksgiving holiday and illness among people involved in the trial.

After reaching the verdict on the murder charge and two firearm allegations, jurors then heard testimony and attorneys’ arguments about the two gang allegations. 

Now-Sgt. Joshua Yee, lead investigator for the case, testified as the lone witness for the gang allegations before jurors returned to deliberate, ultimately deeming the two gang allegations true.

Under state law, the special allegations regarding gang involvement must be handled separated as mini-trials after the initial charge.

The judge ordered Alaniz to return to court Jan. 13 for sentencing.

Alaniz remains in the custody of Santa Barbara County Jail where he has been held without bail since July 2021.