SANTA ROSA ? The Sonoma County District Attorney has dropped murder charges against a Kelseyville teen for the April shooting death of an 18-year-old in Santa Rosa.
Marco Antonio Meza, then 17, of Kelseyville was originally charged in adult court for the murder of Luis Suarez on April 6 in Santa Rosa, according to a district attorney press release. The District Attorney announced Tuesday the juvenile court will oversee Meza”s case for charges related to the murder, although he has since turned 18.
Some juvenile offenders can be held until they”re 25, Troye Shaffer, deputy district attorney said.
District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua dismissed charges Sept. 23 based on new evidence, according to the release. Passalacqua then filed a first-degree murder charge against Fernando Mendoza, 21, of Santa Rosa, for the slaying of Suarez, also of Santa Rosa. Mendoza is also charged with a gang enhancement and personal use of a firearm.
If convicted, special circumstances could lead to the death penalty, Shaffer said.
Law enforcement thinks Mendoza was involved with the Sure?os gang, Shaffer said.
“Our office and the Santa Rosa Police Department consider not only incriminating evidence, but exonerating evidence, as well,” Passalacqua said in a press release. “When new evidence surfaced, we jointly investigated it thoroughly, resulting in not only the dismissal of a murder charge against one person but the issuance of an arrest warrant on the person we believe is responsible.”
The district attorney”s case initially focused on Meza “who sent incriminating text messages to a third party claiming that he committed the murder of Suarez,” the release stated.
Shaffer could not comment on Meza”s case because juvenile proceedings are confidential, she said.
Passalacqua announced Tuesday the investigation led to an arrest warrant for Mendoza, according to the release.
Mendoza will return to court for arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 15 in Department 9 at the Sonoma County Superior Court.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
