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An attempted murder case with modern-day parallels to William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” — with gang members feuding like the Montagues and Capulets — is unfolding in San Mateo County Superior Court.

A 16-year-old gang member allegedly confronted and shot his cousin’s lover, a former rival gang member, even though the victim said he had quit the gang at age 16 after having a child and that he was “family” through marriage, according to Josh Stauffer, deputy district attorney.

The defendant, Eric Jovan Zamora, a Sureno gang member, challenged his cousin’s boyfriend, 23, at a family party in East Palo Alto, after learning that the boyfriend is a former member of the Norteno gang, Stauffer said.

During the Aug. 29, 2008, incident, Zamora did not accept that the union absolved the rivalry and returned with a gun, firing as the victim began to run away.

Zamora shot the victim three times in the back of the legs. The victim was hospitalized but his wounds were not life threatening, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s office.

In a bizarre twist, Zamora’s brother could have ended up on the jury. His identity came to light after Deputy District Attorney Josh Stauffer noticed that a prospective juror was named Zamora, according to news reports.

Upon questioning by Judge Joseph Bergeron, the man admitted he was Zamora’s brother. He was excused.

Zamora is charged as an adult with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, active gang participation, weapons enhancements and enhancements for committing crimes as a gang member. He could face a maximum sentence of life in prison, Stauffer said.

The prosecution rested its side of the case on Sept. 8.

The defense presented its case that afternoon with only one witness, Zamora’s grandfather, who testified that the defendant was at his side and never left for a two-hour period, including during the attempted murder.

Jury deliberations started Wednesday.

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5 Comments

  2. This kind of gang stuff is just baby-games played with deadly weapons. The older gang member had moved on from the baby-games, he had discovered that there was more to life than the little cliquish “our gang” mentality. The younger man, Eric Jovan Zamora, was deeply embedded in the “us-vs-them” mentality of the gangs, and used a gun to express his very shallow vision. I don’t know if he was really that stupid or was just acting that stupid due to his maturity level, Lord knows we can all be stupid when we are young. (The older ones tend to be a little less stupid I think, but we are not exempt.) Now Eric’s life is effectively over due to stupid baby games.

    I will bet heavy money that, had these two met under different circumstances, gangs not being involved, they could have been friends. Stupid baby games, deadly weapons.

  4. OK, it’s violent family/gang drama. But “Romeo and Juliet”?

    Is someone desperate for a catchy headline?

    I suppose if a boy talks back to his Stepfather the headlines would scream “McBeth!”.

    Or the march from EPA a while back after Chief Johnson’s (ahem) blurb would scream “King Lear!”.

  5. A Noun Ea Mus has it right. The media does a disservice when it doesn’t just stick to the facts and reports the story.

    It sounds as if the boy shot the victim at the party with many witnesses present. I wonder if the grandfather will be tried for perjury?

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