SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON) -- The killer of 8-year-old Madyson "Maddy" Middleton has been on the witness stand for four days testifying for a trial that will determine if he is freed from custody.
On Monday, a prosecutor peppered convicted murderer Adrian "AJ" Gonzalez with questions for cross-examination. The prosecutor asked about his history of lying and manipulating people around him to get what he wants. Gonzalez was 15 years old when he sexually assaulted and killed Maddy in the summer of 2015 at the Tannery Art Center apartment complex in Santa Cruz. When he was called to the stand by his defense attorney last week, Gonzalez told jurors why he committed his shocking crime.
KRON4 aired a segment for its series, "The BackStory," chronicling what happened at the Tannery during the 24 hours Maddy was missing between July 26-27 in 2015. (Watch the full "BackStory" segment in the video player above).
Madyson "Maddy" MiddletonThe little girl went missing on the afternoon of July 26, 2015, triggering a frantic search effort. Santa Cruz Police Department officers and volunteers fanned-out looking for the girl while her body was hidden inside the Tannery's recycling dumpster.
Gonzalez testified that Maddy was still alive when he wrapped her in garbage bags and stabbed her in the neck. After she died, Gonzalez buried her beneath other bags in the dumpster and went to his friend's apartment to give him a birthday present, he testified. The killer and his friend dined at Gonzalez's favorite restaurant, Chipotle, while Maddy's loved ones frantically looked for her.
On the night of July 26, 2015, Maddy's disappearance made news headlines and missing person fliers were posted around Santa Cruz. Gonzalez said he didn't want to stand out as a suspect to police, so he joined the search effort.
Adrian "AJ" Gonzalez (File Photo By Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)KRON4 had cameramen and reporters at the Tannery and police station as the search entered its second day. KRON4 photographer Daniel Villareal said, "Eight-year-old girl missing in Santa Cruz since last night. Big search going on. This is one of those stories that none of us like to cover. A kid goes missing and it's a parent's worst nightmare."
During the search, police told news reporters that foul play was not suspected. Police said the case was classified as missing person case and not a kidnapping.
Villareal kept a close eye watching detectives as they searched the Tannery complex. "Something could change," he said.
A KRON4 cameraman and reporter are seen at the Tannery when police arrested Adrian Gonzalez on July 27, 2015.Villareal and reporter Alecia Reid were standing at the Tannery's entrance when additional SCPD patrol vehicles suddenly arrived with lights and sirens on. "Uh-oh, what's going on?" Villareal asked. Moments later he said, "Oh my god. They are getting the (crime scene) tape. They are getting the tape out."
Detectives had just found Maddy's body inside the dumpster.
Maddy Middleton fought for her life, killer testifies on the standThe case rapidly changed from a missing child to a homicide case. Police knew Gonzalez was their prime suspect because, not long after the girl disappeared, he was seen on surveillance video carrying a large trash bag from his mother's apartment and placing it in the same dumpster.
Gonzalez's mother realized that detectives were putting her son inside a patrol car. She hysterically screamed, "My son!" while news cameras were rolling.
Adrian Gonzalez's mother is seen screaming in reaction to police taking her son into custody.Officers told reporters to move back while they secured the crime scene with yellow tape. On the night of July 27, 2015, then-Santa Cruz Police Chief Kevin Vogel held a news conference. He confirmed to reporters that a child's body was found.
Gonzalez was taken to the police station where he made a confession to detectives. He has remained in custody ever since.
His case swung between juvenile and adult courts for years. District Attorney Jeffrey Rosell fought to charge the killer as an adult. California laws for juvenile justice reforms ultimately blocked the DA's effort. Gonzalez pleaded guilty in 2021 in juvenile court to murder, rape, and kidnapping.
Now that Maddy's killer is 25 years old, he is eligible to be released from custody. A trial is underway and 12 jurors are tasked with deciding: Is Maddy's killer still too dangerous to be released?
Santa Cruz Superior Court Judge Denine Guy is presiding over the jury trial.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Looking back on 24 hours Maddy Middleton went missing, found dead )
Also on site :