SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – A former Watsonville man was found guilty of gang-related first-degree murder by a Santa Cruz County jury this week after an extensive trial and nearly three days of deliberation. The 29-year-old, Jason Cortez, was convicted for killing his Santa Cruz County Jail cellmate, German Carrillo, on October 13, 2022.
Cortez’s conviction follows the separate trial and guilty verdict of another cellmate, Mario Lozano, who was sentenced to multiple life sentences for Carrillo’s murder, as well as an unrelated 2004 slaying in Watsonville. During the trial, Cortez took the stand in his own defense, describing his long-time membership in the gang and his positions of authority within the group. However, he denied direct involvement in Carrillo’s death, claiming that it was orchestrated by the gang and carried out by Lozano. Cortez did admit to witnessing the killing and helping to cover up the crime before corrections officers discovered Carrillo’s body.
Cortez is now facing a maximum potential sentence of life without parole at his upcoming sentencing on April 23. Assistant District Attorney Ilia McKinney, who co-prosecuted both Cortez’s and Lozano’s cases, stated that each trial presented unique challenges and expressed satisfaction with the convictions. McKinney acknowledged the difficulty that Carrillo’s family members faced throughout the double trial but reassured them that justice had been served.
The jury’s verdict brings closure to the case and provides some consolation to Carrillo’s family. The trial highlighted the dangers within the Santa Cruz County Jail and the presence of gangs that continue to operate within its walls. The conviction serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to maintain safety and security within the correctional facility and to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
The sentencing of Jason Cortez will mark the final chapter in this harrowing case, offering a glimpse of justice for the victim’s family and closure for the community. Despite the difficult nature of the trial, the successful convictions of Cortez and Lozano stand as a testament to the tireless work of law enforcement and prosecutors in pursuing justice. This ruling sends a strong message that acts of violence and gang activity will not go unpunished in Santa Cruz County.