A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman’s courtroom convicted a murder defendant on June 6.
Alvin Cruz-Garcia, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal beating of Ramon Gomez-Yanez, 38, on March 23, 2021 on the 1500 block of Ogden Street, NW.
According to a press release from the prosecution, surveillance footage from the Ogden Market showed that Gomez-Yanez was urinating close to Cruz-Garcia’s car when an altercation took place and after a short exchange of words, Cruz-Garcia punched Yanez and struck him multiple times in the head.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that showed Cruz-Garcia beat Gomez-Yanez to death by repeatedly kicking him on the head and neck.
Julie Swaney, Cruz-Garcia’s attorney, claimed the prosecution had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Cruz-Garcia was the perpetrator.
Following a day of deliberations, the jury returned a guilty verdict.
Parties are slated to reconvene for sentencing on Aug. 1.
