SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A mistrial has been declared in the Stearns Wharf murder case after jurors failed to reach a unanimous decision. The jury deliberated and ultimately voted 11 to 1 in favor of conviction, while California law mandates a unanimous verdict for criminal cases.
Jiram Tenorio-Ramon, a 25-year-old from Santa Barbara, faced charges related to the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Robert Dion Gutierrez from Camarillo in December 2022. The incident occurred during a disturbance on December 9, which included two groups at Stearns Wharf. Gutierrez, who was celebrating his anniversary with his wife, was struck by gunfire and succumbed to his injuries on December 20 while being treated at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Following the shooting, authorities arrested four men and a 16-year-old in January 2023. Additional charges were later brought against three teenagers for their involvement as accessories after the fact. The Santa Barbara Police Department has identified one of the groups involved as having connections to local street gangs, while the other group was linked to gangs from Ventura County.
In the unfolding legal proceedings, Tenorio-Ramon was indicted alongside three others. All four men faced special allegations suggesting that the shooting was tied to gang activity. By July, the other three defendants accepted plea deals on lesser charges, leaving only Tenorio-Ramon to confront accusations of murder and related gun charges.
Defense attorney George Steele argued during the trial that his client acted in self-defense, asserting that members of the Ventura County group initiated the conflict by firing first. Steele contended that the emotional aspects of the case were being exaggerated and urged jurors to consider the facts objectively.
In contrast, Deputy District Attorney Tate McCallister underscored the evidence supporting the prosecution’s case, questioning why Tenorio-Ramon was armed with a loaded, unserialized firearm on the night of the incident. McCallister’s closing arguments emphasized the implications of gang culture and the defendant’s actions following the shooting.
Jury deliberations commenced last Wednesday after final arguments were presented. Following the mistrial announcement, Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch confirmed plans to pursue a retrial.
The case remains under scrutiny, reflecting ongoing issues with gang violence in the region. Authorities hope the next proceedings will bring clarity and justice for the victim and his family.
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