FRESNO (KMJ) — The alleged driver in the hit and run death of Clovis Unified vice principal Gavin Gladding has entered a plea of no contest. Rogelio Alvarez-Maravilla had previously entered a not guilty plea earlier this month (click here to read more), and the change saw him immediately taken into custody.
The move Wednesday morning was described by the judge as a “straight up plea to the sheet,” and the no contest plea was entered on all four charges: hit and run resulting in permanent injury or death, vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, driving without a license, and destroying or concealing evidence. He faces a maximum sentence of four years behind bars, according to Fresno County DA’s Office.
The 18 year old’s arrest was announced on September 21st, five days after the 43 year old educator was killed in that hit and run in Northeast Fresno. His memorial was attended by thousands (click here to read more).
“From the day my client came to see me in my office he wanted to accept responsibility,” said the teenager’s attorney outside Fresno County Superior Court. “That’s what he did today.”
Alvarez-Maravilla’s sentencing is scheduled for November 26th. The 18 year old’s family and friends, who were packed inside the courtroom, wept as he was handcuffed and led away. He was quickly booked into Fresno County Jail.
“This boy was a really good boy,” said Maria Estrada, who spoke on behalf of the teenager’s parents outside Fresno County Superior Court. “He goes to church, he listens to his parents.
“It’s just very unfair; the family is just super heartbroken and they feel like this was not justice for him because he’s not a criminal.”
When asked what she thought of the charge of destroying evidence, Estrada declined to comment.
“I don’t know any details. I’m just here for my friends. I didn’t ask them what happened, what’s going on, I just told them I’m here for you guys…it’s a tragedy all the way around.”
The same morning, in the courtroom next door, 23 year old Moises Antonio Valdez-Guerreo and 18 year old Fernanda Jakeline Lopez both entered their own pleas to the charges resulting from the September hit and run.
Fernanda Lopez and Moises Valdez-Guerro both plead not guilty in court today. Both allegedly involved in the hit and run death of @clovisusd‘s #GavinGladding. More on @KMJNOW. pic.twitter.com/NDIgitMch0
— Dom McAndrew (@DomMcAndrew) October 24, 2018
The pair both pleaded not guilty to the charges of destroying evidence and being an accessory to the crime of leaving the scene of an accident. Their next hearing is scheduled for November 28th.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
