Murder Suspect Faces Life Sentence In High Profile Case: Court

SAN JOSE, CA -- A 24-year-old man suspected of killing a San Jose woman in her home last month made his initial appearance in Santa Clara County Superior Court Thursday to face a murder charge and may face a life sentence without parole.

Carlos Eduardo Arevalo Carranza was arrested Monday in connection to the Feb. 28 murder of Bambi Larson, a 59-year-old mother and South San Jose resident. Police have not yet determined whether the two knew each other, but said Arevalo Carranza, an undocumented felon with a long criminal record, was seen on surveillance footage stalking her house before and after her death.

Arevalo Carranza is charged with one count of first-degree murder and two special circumstances of burglary and mayhem. During Thursday's brief hearing, a plea hearing was scheduled for May 17, and is being represented by the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office a Spanish interpreter.

The case drew outcry from public officials in San Jose and Santa Clara County after police reported Tuesday that Arevalo Carranza had been released from jail in California six times despite being under a detainer request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In Santa Clara County alone, he had been released twice without officials notifying ICE.

"We understand this case has started an emotional dialogue regarding immigration policy. The court will consider factual questions of guilt or innocence, and immigration policy, while important, should rightfully be taken up in another venue," Deputy Public Defender Charles Hendrickson said in a statement.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Jay Boyarsky refused to comment on the political implications of the case, saying "there is a time and place for politics and policy."

He instead expressed deep condolences for Larson's family, and said prosecutors will do their utmost to ensure Arevalo Carranza receives a maximum sentence.

"He is going to spend the rest of his life in prison so that he can never hurt anyone again," Boyarsky said outside the courthouse. "Our office will hold him fully accountable for this brutal murder so that he can die in prison."

Deputy District Attorney Luis Ramos will prosecute the case, and said the two special circumstances in the case make Arevalo Carranza eligible for life without parole and the death penalty.

In light of Gov. Gavin Newsom placing a moratorium on capital punishment Wednesday, Arevalo Carranza faces a life sentence if convicted. Larson's family thanked San Jose police in a statement, and said they would not be making any specific comments due to the ongoing investigation. "We thank the community for their support, thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy as we grieve the loss of Bambi."

Larson attended San Jose State University and the University of California at Santa Cruz and was a manager at medical testing company Roche Sequencing Solutions in San Jose. Court documents say a concerned coworker called Larson's son at about 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 and drove to her house after Larson failed to turn up at work. The son responded to the address and entered her home to find a brutal scene, with his mother in her bedroom bleeding. He then walked outside the house and called police.

Officers found Larson dead inside the home suffering from extensive and deep wounds to her neck, torso and abdomen. They later recovered surveillance footage showing the suspect walking around the neighborhood and leaving the house after the murder. Police said Larson's son told them that she lived alone.

Arevalo Carranza was first arrested on an unrelated drug violation Monday at Foxworthy and Pearl avenues, but he was cited and released. DNA evidence obtained in the investigation later connected him to the murder, and he was again taken into custody.

Officers found him in possession of a 7-inch folding knife, Larson's Kindle tablet and cellphone, along with boots that matched bloody footprints leading out of her home. Police have not yet released information about a possible motive and an investigation into Larson's death is ongoing. Arrevalo Carrazco will remain in Santa Clara County Jail without bail as the case continues.

--Bay City News