ANAHEIM, Calif. — Ismael Avalos, 31, has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and participating in gang activity in connection with the 2012 fatal shooting of 18-year-old Angel Rivera in Anaheim. The plea comes after Avalos’ original murder conviction was overturned on appeal due to violations of his constitutional rights.
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Avalos entered his guilty plea Friday and is expected to be sentenced to 14 years in prison at a hearing scheduled for July 25, according to court records. His plea also includes a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a firearm.
Case History and Overturned Conviction
The deadly incident occurred on May 25, 2012, when Avalos encountered Rivera outside a liquor store around 10:30 p.m., following a night out drinking with friends. Rivera was shot in the head during the encounter. Prosecutors initially pursued the case as a gang-related homicide.
Avalos was convicted on October 30, 2019, of second-degree murder, gang participation, and an enhancement for discharging a firearm causing death, leading to a 40-years-to-life prison sentence.
However, on November 4, 2022, an appellate court overturned the conviction after determining that Avalos’ right to an attorney had been violated. The court found that authorities continued to question him after he had invoked his right to legal counsel, rendering his statements inadmissible.
New Plea Deal and Sentencing
Faced with a retrial, Avalos agreed to a plea deal that significantly reduced his sentence. Under the new agreement, he pleaded guilty to lesser charges and accepted a 14-year prison term.
The original trial also included co-defendant George Galvan, who was ultimately acquitted of all charges.
Ongoing Impact
The plea marks the final legal chapter in a case that has spanned over a decade and underscores the critical importance of constitutional protections during police interrogations. The killing of Angel Rivera remains a tragic reminder of the lasting consequences of gang violence and the toll it takes on families and communities.
Avalos remains in custody as he awaits formal sentencing in Orange County Superior Court.
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