SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON) — The killer of 8-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton has been on the witness stand for 4 days testifying for a trial that can decide if he’s free of custody.
On Monday, a prosecutor peppered convicted assassin Adrian “AJ” Gonzalez with questions for cross-examination. The prosecutor requested about his historical past of mendacity and manipulating individuals round him to get what he needs. Gonzalez was 15 years previous when he sexually assaulted and killed Maddy in the summertime of 2015 on the Tannery Artwork Middle house complicated in Santa Cruz. When he was known as to the stand by his protection legal professional final week, Gonzalez informed jurors why he dedicated his stunning crime.
KRON4 aired a section for its collection, “The BackStory,” chronicling what occurred on the Tannery throughout the 24 hours Maddy was lacking between July 26-27 in 2015. (Watch the complete “BackStory” section within the video participant above).
Madyson “Maddy” Middleton
The little woman went lacking on the afternoon of July 26, 2015, triggering a frantic search effort. Santa Cruz Police Division officers and volunteers fanned-out searching for the woman whereas her physique was hidden contained in the Tannery’s recycling dumpster.
Gonzalez testified that Maddy was nonetheless alive when he wrapped her in rubbish baggage and stabbed her within the neck. After she died, Gonzalez buried her beneath different baggage within the dumpster and went to his good friend’s house to offer him a birthday current, he testified. The killer and his good friend dined at Gonzalez’s favourite restaurant, Chipotle, whereas Maddy’s family members frantically seemed for her.
Adrian “AJ” Gonzalez (File Picture By Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle through Getty Photographs)
KRON4 had cameramen and reporters on the Tannery and police station because the search entered its second day. KRON4 photographer Daniel Villareal stated, “Eight-year-old girl missing in Santa Cruz since last night. Big search going on. This is one of those stories that none of us like to cover. A kid goes missing and it’s a parent’s worst nightmare.”
Villareal saved a detailed eye watching detectives as they searched the Tannery complicated. “Something could change,” he stated.
A KRON4 cameraman and reporter are seen on the Tannery when police arrested Adrian Gonzalez on July 27, 2015.
Villareal and reporter Alecia Reid have been standing on the Tannery’s entrance when extra SCPD patrol autos out of the blue arrived with lights and sirens on. “Uh-oh, what’s going on?” Villareal requested. Moments later he stated, “Oh my god. They are getting the (crime scene) tape. They are getting the tape out.”
Detectives had simply discovered Maddy’s physique contained in the dumpster.
Maddy Middleton fought for her life, killer testifies on the stand
The case quickly modified from a lacking little one to a murder case. Police knew Gonzalez was their prime suspect as a result of, not lengthy after the woman disappeared, he was seen on surveillance video carrying a big trash bag from his mom’s house and putting it in the identical dumpster.
Adrian Gonzalez’s mom is seen screaming in response to police taking her son into custody.
Gonzalez was taken to the police station the place he made a confession to detectives. He has remained in custody ever since.
His case swung between juvenile and grownup courts for years. District Lawyer Jeffrey Rosell fought to cost the killer as an grownup. California legal guidelines for juvenile justice reforms finally blocked the DA’s effort. Gonzalez pleaded responsible in 2021 in juvenile court docket to homicide, rape, and kidnapping.
Now that Maddy’s killer is 25 years previous, he’s eligible to be launched from custody. A trial is underway and 12 jurors are tasked with deciding: Is Maddy’s killer nonetheless too harmful to be launched?
Santa Cruz Superior Court docket Choose Denine Man is presiding over the jury trial.
