Murder Sentence Delayed
San Martin – The Aug. 20 sentencing of a Morgan Hill man convicted of murder has been postponed. The new date for sentencing is Sept. 21 at 9am in the South County Courthouse, 12425 Monterey Road in San Martin.
Anthony Frausto, 20, who faces 50 years to life in prison, was convicted May 1 after a jury trial that lasted more than a week. The nine-woman, three-man jury deliberated less than three hours before announcing a guilty verdict to the charge of first degree murder with a gang enhancement.
Frausto was convicted in the shooting death of Luis Bautista, 19, on Sept. 30, 2005. According to testimony, Frausto and several friends were walking behind the Safeway grocery store and JoAnn’s Fabrics in Tennant Station shopping center at approximately 9pm when a truck pulled into the parking lot and stopped. Frausto, who admits being a Norteño gang member, testified during the trial that several Sureño gang members jumped out of the truck, one of them grabbing a broom handle from the back of the truck. He also testified that he believed the Sureños were armed with knives.
After exchanging insults, the two groups began to move closer, Frausto told the court, and, because he felt threatened, he pulled a gun from his waistband and fired several times. Bautista was hit by three bullets, going down as the members of both gangs scattered. At least one of the Sureños returned in the truck, loaded the dying man into the truck and took him to Saint Louise Regional Hospital. He was later flown to Regional Medical Center in San Jose, where he died from his injuries.
Frausto showed up at the Morgan Hill Police Department Oct. 2, telling officers he was there to “clear his name.” He was held without bail after his arrest and is still in custody.
$8K Raise for City Attorney
Morgan Hill – City Attorney Janet Kern received an $8,000 merit raise Wednesday, bringing her annual salary to $162,500. The raise approved by city council is the first performance-related pay bump she has received since joining city staff in February 2006. It comes less than two months after Kern received a contractual cost of living increase of $4,500.
Mayor Steve Tate pointed out Wednesday that the city has not lost any lawsuits since Kern took over the job of legal counsel. During her tenure, Kern has handled three lawsuits, though officials point out she played a key role in reducing the city’s risk of liability.
Prior to joining Morgan Hill, Kern spent seven years as legal counsel for the San Jose Redevelopment Agency.
Nonprofits Angle for Office Space
Morgan Hill – Three nonprofit groups have come a step closer to pulling down dirt-cheap office space in the Friendly Inn, a city-owned property that will be renovated to serve as an “incubator” for social-service agencies. On Wednesday, the city council voted 5-0 to strike lease agreements with the American Red Cross – Santa Clara Valley Chapter, Narcotics Anonymous and Silicon Valley Independent Living Center.
If the deals go through, each group will only have to pay $1 annually and the cost of utilities and maintenance to share space in the facility at 17666 Crest Ave. Council also directed staff to continue negotiations with four other social service groups, including one that focuses on autism. Council members rejected an application by Media Access Coalition of Central California, a provider of local public access television which, according to staff members, did not fit the traditional definition of a social service agency.
Once complete, the renovated 10,000-square-foot facility will offer multiple conference rooms, six offices and a kitchen, among other things. Officials hope to complete renovations by the end of 2008.
