California Movie Theater Shooting: Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Killing Two Teenagers
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Joseph Jimenez, the 23-year-old responsible for the tragic shooting in a Southern California movie theater in July 2021, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Jimenez was also given an additional 50 years to life for the shooting deaths of 19-year-old Anthony Barajas and 18-year-old Rylee Goodrich. The incident occurred during a showing of the film “The Forever Purge” at the Regal Edwards Theater at the Crossings at Corona. The two young victims were on a date on the night of the shooting.
During the sentencing, the families of the victims read emotional impact statements, expressing the irreplaceable loss they have suffered. Rylee’s grandfather, Patrick Goodrich, said, “This past December was the first time in three years that there was any semblance of a Christmas at the Goodrich household.” The heartbroken parents of Rylee chose not to attend, finding solace in the peaceful and beautiful memories of their daughter.
Jimenez, who had been declared sane in a bench trial in December, was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder. The special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and taking multiple lives, along with sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations, further solidified his sentence. The defense attorney, Charles Kenyon, had argued that Jimenez was not rational at the time and was suffering from schizophrenia, but the prosecution, referring to Jimenez’s actions during and after the murders, countered that argument.
“We all agree that schizophrenia caused this,” Kenyon had said during a closing argument in December. “Joseph Jimenez is not a bad person, but the legal burden is what it is. At the end of the day, unarmed people that don’t appear to overtly present a threat is not something you can defend from an objective perspective.”
The prosecution highlighted that Jimenez had made up his mind to carry out the killings 20 minutes before the actual incident, despite the voices that urged him on having gone silent. It was clear that Jimenez knew the victims were innocent and his actions were unnecessary. The prosecution claimed that he knew what he had done was morally wrong, which was evident from his decision to flee.
The tragic loss of Anthony Barajas and Rylee Goodrich has deeply impacted their families, who addressed Jimenez directly during the sentencing. Speaking about his son’s murder, Anthony’s father, Brian Barajas, said, “You stole the lives of two young people with so much potential to do great things. Anthony was so full of life and touched so many lives in a positive way.” Julia, Anthony’s oldest sister, also shared their family’s pain and loss.
“I want justice and I want peace for my family. It’s time we put this part behind us and start to fully heal from this,” Julia said bravely.
Jimenez withdrew his not guilty pleas for two counts of murder and the insanity defense, resulting in a judge hearing the case and determining Jimenez’s state of mind during the time of the murders.
It is crucial to remember the lives that were tragically taken and the lasting impact this incident has had on the victims’ families, friends, and the community at large.
City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.
Tags: Joseph Jimenez was declared sane, Former friend testifies suspect gave ‘death stares’ before murders, Jimenez withdraws not guilty pleas, testifies, in theater murder case
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