Press release: People v. Carlos Gomez

Date: January 18, 2002
Case: People v. Carlos Gomez
Contact: Tim Frawley, Homicide Section
Telephone: 874-4631

District Attorney Jan Scully announced today that defendant Carlos Gomez pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder with special circumstances and another count of attempted murder, and was immediately sentenced to prison for life without possibility of parole.

Gomez, age 58, was arrested on October 27, 2000 in the home of Tomas and Estella Talamante in the Gardenland area of Sacramento. A Jehovah's Witness had been going door-to-door in the neighborhood that morning. Tomas Talamante, age 78, answered the door, appearing bloodied and partly bound. A voice from behind the door said everything was ok and instructed to shut the door. Police were called. Gomez was found inside the home, shirtless and his fly unzipped. Estella Talamante, age 72, was found deceased on a bed, wearing a bra but with all other clothing pulled down to her ankles. An autopsy revealed she had died of ligature strangulation.

Tomas Talamante, who was hospitalized for a day due to wounds to his head, said that Gomez was a friend whose family formerly lived next door. Gomez had come by that morning and asked to borrow money. After Mr. Talamante gave him some money, Gomez struck and bound him, robbed him of more money, and went into one of the bedrooms. When police searched the house, they found video equipment, jewelry, coins, and food stacked up in a manner indicating Gomez was stealing it.

Judge James Morris imposed sentence. Mr. Talamante was unable to attend the proceeding due to failing health. Tony Talamante, a son, and Alejandro Orozco, a grandson, spoke on behalf of family members in the sentencing phase of the hearing.