Judge Frees Two Murder Suspects Without Bail in California
In a controversial decision that has alarmed law enforcement officials, a California judge has released two murder suspects without requiring any bail payment. The case involves suspects Agustin Sandoval and Vicente Aguilera-Chavez, both charged in connection with a 2017 gang-related shooting that left one young man dead and another injured. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen has expressed significant concern about public safety following these releases, stating that “the odds of re-offense or fleeing from justice just doubled.”
The shooting occurred on June 8, 2017, in a Sunnyvale nightclub parking lot, resulting in the death of 21-year-old Edu Veliz-Salgado and injuries to a 24-year-old victim. Although the case initially went cold, detectives with the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety identified the suspects in 2024, leading to murder charges against both men. According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office, Sandoval was allegedly driving the vehicle from which the fatal shots were fired. Despite the serious nature of the charges, Judge Hector Ramon released Sandoval on his own recognizance during a court hearing on Friday, following a similar decision for Aguilera-Chavez on October 31.
The district attorney’s strong reaction highlights the unusual nature of these judicial decisions. “It was bad enough that an accused murderer with a violent past was let out of custody, now there are two,” Rosen stated. He described himself as “shocked” by the initial decision to release Aguilera-Chavez, emphasizing that the suspect “not only committed a murder, who’s not only been to prison once, but has been to prison twice, and is a documented gang member.” Rosen made it clear that he believes these decisions fall “outside the bounds of what’s acceptable” and pose a genuine danger to the community, distinguishing them from typical cases where reasonable minds might differ on appropriate bail determinations.
The district attorney’s office attempted to persuade Judge Ramon to reconsider his decision regarding Aguilera-Chavez, filing a motion that argued the court was essentially “gambling he does not pose a risk to public safety because he has not been arrested for the last few years.” Their filing urged the court to consider “his criminal history… and the fact that he brazenly murdered a stranger in front of a crowd because the stranger was drunk and mouthing off.” Despite these arguments, the judge maintained his decision, allowing both suspects to remain free while awaiting trial.
Defense attorneys for both men have presented counterarguments supporting their release. Kristin Carter, representing Sandoval, claimed in court that her client “hasn’t committed a felony and hasn’t hurt anyone” in the years since the alleged murder. Similarly, Jennifer Redding, who represents Aguilera-Chavez, filed the motion seeking his release from pre-trial custody, maintaining that her client wasn’t involved in the shooting and has strong community ties. “There is no evidence that Mr. Aguilera, especially with (supervised release) conditions, would present any risk of bodily harm to others,” Redding wrote, adding that her client “is motivated to clear his name” and does not present a flight risk.
The case highlights growing tensions between judicial discretion in bail decisions and public safety concerns. District Attorney Rosen, in his capacity as “chief law enforcement officer,” emphasized that his primary responsibility is “to protect this community’s safety.” The releases have sparked debate about the appropriate balance between defendants’ rights and community protection in cases involving violent crimes. With two murder suspects now free without financial obligation to ensure their return to court, local authorities and community members are left to wonder about the potential consequences of these unusual judicial decisions.
