A Santa Barbara man likely will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of murder and other charges stemming from a fatal shooting at a Goleta hotel last year, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.

A jury in Superior Court in Santa Barbara last week convicted Isaiah Ramirez Alexander, 36, of second-degree murder in the death of Richard Andrew Cortona, 43, of Goleta, said Senior Deputy District Attorney Kevin Weichbrod.

Alexander also was convicted of shooting at an inhabited vehicle, residential burglary and commercial burglary, along with criminal enhancements that contributed to him facing such a lengthy prison term.

The charges grew out of incidents that occurred between Feb. 9 and Feb. 14, 2022, Weichbrod said.

“On Feb. 9, Mr. Alexander burglarized a residential apartment in the city of Santa Barbara,” Weichbrod said. “The burglary led to a violent confrontation the next day on Feb. 10 at Pacifica Suites Hotel in Goleta, where Mr. Alexander shot and killed 43-year-old Richard Cardona.”

The confrontation led to a shootout inside one of the hotel rooms, after which Cardona attempted to flee but was chased down and killed in his vehicle by Alexander, Weichbrod said.

Alexander subsequently fled the scene, attempted to conceal the murder weapon, and separately disposed of the firearm magazine and ammunition. 

Five days later, Alexander burglarized a store, and was arrested in possession of stolen property at the La Quinta Inn.

“At the time of these offenses, Alexander was out on bail on two other cases, where he is still pending charges for carjacking, attempted robbery, vehicle theft, and identity theft,” Weichbrod said.

Alexander was being held without bail Monday at Santa Barbara County Jail, and is due back in court on Oct. 19 for sentencing by Judge Brian Hill.

“Mr. Alexander is facing more than 121 years to life in state prison based on his current charges and previous criminal history,” Weichbrod said.

A second man — Anthony Torres Lopez Jr., 36, — also was arrested in connection with the case — on suspicion of robbery and attempted extortion.

His case is still pending, and he remained in custody Monday with bail set at $1.15 million.

He is due back in court next month for a preliminary hearing setting before Judge Michael Carrozzo.