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A Fresno man accused of kidnapping a woman in 2005 in Menlo Park as part of a plot to rape and murder her testified in San Mateo County Superior Court Thursday that he felt he had to after his own son’s life was threatened.
Alfonso Cuevas Gonzalez, 40, was allegedly hired by Ricardo Zambrano, 37, also of Fresno and the owner of a jewelry store inside the Mi Rancho market in Menlo Park, to kidnap a former female employee of Zambrano’s who repeatedly refused to date him.
The pair allegedly plotted to take the woman to Fresno, where she was to be raped and murdered, according to prosecutors. Gonzalez was to be paid $5,000, according to Deputy District Attorney Morris Maya.
On the afternoon of June 10, 2005, Gonzalez allegedly abducted the woman at gunpoint in Menlo Park and drove her to Fresno.
According to the alleged victim — whose name is being withheld in the trial to protect her identity — Gonzalez told her during the drive that he, another man and Zambrano were going to rape and kill her, and then “bury her inside a very deep well,” she testified on Monday.
However, the kidnapping plan dissolved when Gonzalez couldn’t find his accomplices, and the woman eventually escaped with the help of a Fresno woman who had knowledge of the plan.
Police were notified and Gonzalez was arrested in Fresno, according to the district attorney’s office. Zambrano was arrested in Fresno on July 22.
Testifying on his behalf this afternoon, Gonzalez described his fear of Zambrano, a man he was introduced to in May 2005 and was told was “very wealthy, very powerful, very dangerous,” and always armed with a gun, Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said he had been working as a driver for a company in San Leandro at the time, when Zambrano offered him a job. Gonzalez said he was shocked when he found out that the job was “to kill a girl.”
After he refused, Gonzalez said, Zambrano insisted and later became angry.
Gonzalez described a conversation he had with Zambrano in early June, in which Zambrano referred to him as “pretty stupid” for not agreeing to the plan.
Zambrano knew where he lived, Gonzalez testified, and if he didn’t agree to do the job, Zambrano said he would kill his 13-year-old son, Alfonso Jr., Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said he believed the threat was real because “everyone was afraid of him.”
To have refused, Gonzalez said, “would be like saying ‘Go ahead, kill my son.'”
Others in the trial, detectives as well as the alleged victim, have also testified that Gonzalez told them he feared for his son’s life.
Both Gonzalez and Zambrano are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit rape, kidnapping for the purpose of rape, and kidnapping during a carjacking. Gonzalez is also charged with felony threats, and Zambrano with felony false imprisonment and threatening a witness.
According to Gonzalez, he agreed to kidnap the woman, but never planned to rape or kill her.
Potential exculpatory factors in Gonzalez’s case are whether he committed the crime under duress, or more subtly, whether there was a “necessity” for him to commit the crime, according to defense attorney Lisa Maguire.
“He’s been consistent all along” with his testimony, Maguire said this afternoon outside the courtroom.
Each man could receive a sentence of at least 40 years to life in prison if convicted, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Gonzalez’ testimony is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. Closing arguments could begin as early as Tuesday.
Zambrano’s trial is scheduled to begin on Monday. Both men remain in custody on no-bail status.
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