On September 13, 2022, after two days of deliberation, a jury convicted Defendant Christian Fuentes of the 2011 murder of Catherine Fisher and the attempted murder of Jamal Thomas. The jury also found a special allegation that the Defendant Fuentes was lying in wait true.
At 2am on the morning of July 13, 2011, a Chevy Tahoe containing three people was parked near the driveway of an East Palo Alto residence. While Catherine Fisher, Jamal Thomas, and Christina Hidalgo were in the Chevy, a second vehicle pulled up. Two individuals – one of which was Defendant Fuentes – exited the second vehicle and opened fire at the Chevy. It is believed that the target of the shooting was Jamal Thomas. Catherine Fisher was hit multiple times by the gunfire, and succumbed to her injuries. Defendant Fuentes and his co-defendant fled to Colorado where Defendant Fuentes was eventually convicted of the murder of a rival gang member. Defendant Fuentes was extradited from Colorado after being sentenced to prison for approximately 84 years for the Colorado murder. Defendant Fuentes faces potential life without parole. Sentencing is set for January 12, 2023.
The prosecutor was Morris Maya, and the Investigating officer was Inspector Rick Decker (San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.)