Indio, California – A jury’s decision to sentence a man responsible for the execution-style murders of four people in Palm Springs to death has been affirmed by Judge Anthony Villalobos. Jose Vladimir Larin Garcia, born on September 28, 1999, was found guilty of killing Carlos Campos-Rivera, 25; Yuliana Garcia, 17; Jacob Montgomery, 19; and Juan Duarte-Raya, 18, on February 3, 2019. The jury’s recommendation of the death penalty for Larin Garcia was echoed by the judge on February 24, 2023.
During the tragic incident, Larin Garcia was in a car with three of the victims when he encountered Campos-Rivera near the gate of the apartment complex where he lived on Canon Drive. Larin Garcia fatally shot Campos-Rivera and the car then sped away. Yuliana Garcia, Montgomery, and Duarte-Raya were discovered deceased in the disabled car on Sunny Dunes Road, all with targeted gunshot wounds to the head. Yuliana Garcia also sustained a hand injury, presumably while trying to shield herself from the gunfire at close range.
As authorities investigated the crash site, they uncovered Campos-Rivera’s body nearby and Larin Garcia, covered in the victims’ blood, hiding under a truck a couple of blocks from the scene. Larin Garcia was later apprehended by an investigator from the District Attorney’s office at the Greyhound bus station the following day, preparing to leave for Florida under a false name.
Larin Garcia faced trial for the four murders, resulting in a mistrial in March 2022, followed by a second trial. On February 6, 2023, the jury convicted him of four counts of first-degree murder, along with the special circumstances of lying in wait and multiple victims, making him eligible for the death penalty.
District Attorney Mike Hestrin emphasized the gravity of Larin Garcia’s actions, stating that the decision to seek the death penalty was rooted in the severity of the crimes and the lack of remorse displayed by the perpetrator. The case was prosecuted by Deputy DA Samantha Paixao of the Homicide Trial Team.
The families of the victims expressed their gratitude for the support received during the legal proceedings. Maria Morales, the mother of Yuliana Garcia, acknowledged the dedication of Victim Service Specialist Glenda Escobedo and DDA Samantha Paixao for their assistance in seeking justice for their loved ones.
The loss of Carlos, Jacob, Juan, Yuliana, and her unborn child left a profound impact on their families, who continue to mourn the tragic incident. The victims hailed from various cities in the Coachella Valley, including Palm Springs, Thousand Palms, and Cathedral City.