SALINAS VALLEY — A 27-year-old Greenfield man was found guilty of murder and conspiracy to commit murder by a Monterey County jury on Friday.
Judge Mark E. Hood presided over the trial of John Samuel Trivino, aka “Smack,” who was convicted for killing 20-year-old Martin Heredia of King City.
In the nighttime hours of June 7, 2016, Heredia had three friends over visiting at his family’s home in King City. Later, he and his friends left the home, purchased food and returned.
A black pickup truck occupied by Trivino and fellow Norteno gang members passed Heredia and his friends right when they walked into Heredia’s home. After parking around the corner, Trivino exited the truck and proceeded toward the residence.
According to a news release from the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, Heredia exited his home to get a bag of chips he left inside his friend’s vehicle. Just before Heredia returned inside, Trivino opened fire, striking Heredia and the residence. Heredia later died from his gunshot wounds.
The investigation continued for years, and finally led to Trivino’s arrest in 2021.
Sentencing dates will be set at a later date for Trivino, who faces a maximum term of 50-years-to-life in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Another defendant in this case, Kendrix Perez, faces trial later this year.
