MAN DENIED YOUTHFUL OFFENDER PAROLE FOR 2001 SLAYING OF SANTA ROSA TEENAGER

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate William Ernesto Dominguez, 38 years old of Santa Rosa, was denied youthful offender parole following a hearing held on September 15, 2022 at High Desert State Prison, Susanville.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “This was an incredibly violent attack that ended the life of a minor victim. We are in agreement with the Board’s decision to reject the idea of letting this inmate back onto our streets at this time. His subsequent assault on another inmate clearly shows he still presents a danger to the community.”

Dominguez is serving a 33 year and 8-month prison sentence for the killing of 17-year-old Oscar Diaz. On February 17, 2001, Dominguez encountered Diaz and his friends while walking through a Santa Rosa neighborhood. Dominguez stated that Diaz began taunting him. Dominguez was in possession of a shotgun that was given to him previously. As Diaz taunted him, Dominguez shot Diaz in the face from four feet away. Dominguez is also serving time for assaulting a prisoner in 2005. Dominguez pled no contest on May 20, 2002 to one count of voluntary manslaughter, admitted an enhancement for using a gun, and admitted an enhancement for committing the killing for the benefit of a gang. He received 25 years, 8 months in state prison. Dominguez received another 8 years in prison for the prisoner assault in 2005.

Following the parole hearing, which included a review of prison files and medical evaluations, and arguments from both Dominguez’s attorney and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office representative, The Board ruled that the defendant would next be eligible for parole in seven years.

Deputy District Attorney Thomas Gotshall appeared at the hearing on behalf of the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to oppose Dominguez’s release on parole.

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