Gang shooting: Valdivia sentenced to life in Zuniga murder

Zuniga was married and had three sons.The trial was marked with changed witness statements and it took another turn when Valdivia’s attorney requested that he be incarcerated in a prison close to his family.Superior Court Judge Donald Coleman said the murder represented “senseless violence,” and noted that state correctional officials will have the final say on where Valdivia is incarcerated.Judge Coleman also mentioned the letters of support that he received from Valdivia’s family but noted that his desire to be an “influential member of the gang” overrode all else.According to his attorney, Valdivia, also a father, was not even in Santa Paula at the time Zuniga was gunned down outside the Halloween party. The gun used in the slaying was never recovered.Valdivia, who has a criminal record and was arrested while in jail on an unrelated charge, did not testify during the trial and made no statement in court after sentencing.