Defendants In Oxnard Kidnap-Murder Case Enter Not Guilty Pleas
Friday May 03, 2024
(Photos of Jimenez and Garfias courtesy OPD)
Updated--The woman and man charged in connection with an Oxnard kidnap-murder case have pleaded not guilty.
It was just before midnight on March 17th that 35-year-old Yanelly Vargas was shot in an industrial area near Five Points in Oxnard.
She died after being taken to VCMC.
Her ex-boyfriend, 36-year-old Jorge Garfias of Ventura, and 33-year-old Margarita Jimenez of Oxnard were arrested on April 3rd in connection with the killing.
Friday both Jimenez and Garfias were in court where they pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and first degree murder charges.
They also denied a special circumstance allegation that the killing happened during a kidnapping.
That makes this a case that potentially could result in a sentence of life without parole or death if they are convicted.
Jimenez and Garfias also denied several special allegations.
Jimenez is also facing a special allegation of use of a firearm as prosecutors allege she was the shooter.
Prosecutors allege that the incident began with Vargas being tricked into coming out of a bar where Garfias and Jimenez emerged from a truck, beat her, and forced her into the truck.
It's alleged that after 15 minutes, Vargas got out of the truck.
Prosecutors allege that Jimenez followed Vargas and fatally shot her, a shot that could be heard by police dispatchers who were taking a 911 call about the incident.
Garfias and Jimenez then allegedly fled in the truck.
Prosecutors say the entire incident was captured on surveillance video.
Jimenez and Garfias remain in the Ventura County Jail and are both being held with no chance of being released.
They will both be back in court July 24th.
According to court documents, Garfias and Jimenez have faced criminal charges in the past.
Several years ago, Jimenez plead guilty to assault with a firearm causing great bodily injury and was sentenced to five years in prison back in 2016.
Garfias does not have any convictions but he faced gang related charges that were ultimately dismissed in 2007.
