During the drive to Cardona’s older brother’s job, Sarabia told his friend that he had borrowed the car, which he quickly filled with Jose Cardona Jr. and his friend for a drive to Obregon Park and some marijuana smoking.But first they stopped at the Santa Paula home of Mary Ramirez where her friend Guadalupe Andres, now 18, was visiting to show off the car.During the ride, Sarabia also used a cell phone found later at his home about 400 yards away from the victims’: the cell phone belonged to Ramirez and was discovered in November 2002 when SPPD investigators searched his parents home and garage. Also discovered was a Little League baseball bat containing blood and fibers from the slain couples’ clothing as well as other blood stained items matching the victims.Sarabia is being tried as an adult and could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.Sarabia’s attorney, Jay Johnson, had requested that Superior Court Judge Edward Brodie decide the case, as autopsy photos entered into evidence would inflame the jury against his client.
Sarabia: Friends testify about partying in slain couple’s car
March 10, 2004
Santa Paula News
Within hours after an accused murderer beat and stabbed a Santa Paula couple in their bed, he drove their limited edition sports car to his friends’ houses to pick them up for cruising the town and showing the Monte Carlo off to girls, friends of Adam Sarabia testified on Friday.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesWithin hours after an accused murderer beat and stabbed a Santa Paula couple in their bed, he drove their limited edition sports car to his friends’ houses to pick them up for cruising the town and showing the Monte Carlo off to girls, friends of Adam Sarabia testified on Friday.The testimony was heard on the third day of 17-year-old Sarabia’s trial in Ventura County Superior Court.Sarabia had just turned 16 the night he is accused of beating and stabbing John Ramirez, 59, and his wife, Joann Wotkyns, 55, to death in their bed in the two-story home they lived in at Las Pasadas in October 2002. Investigators are not sure of the exact time that the couple died, believing it was either late Sunday night or early the following morning. . .the couple was discovered after their employer became concerned that they had not arrived for work and contacted Ramirez’s son.Paul Cardona, 17 of Santa Paula, told Senior Deputy District Attorney Richard Simon that Sarabia picked him up at home on Oct. 21, a Monday, in the black, checkered NASCAR pacer car.
