After nearly two years in jail, Mr. Jonathan Navarro walked out of the courthouse and back to his family after a Yakima County jury acquitted him of murder and assault charges stemming from an August 22, 2021, shooting at the Yakima Valley Mall. Navarro was defending himself and his friends when one of his bullets missed the intended target and killed a bystander. Another bullet also hit a car full of people. The jury acquitted him of all charges on August 29, 2023.
An arrest warrant was issued for 26-year-old Mr. Navarro after witnesses to the shooting provided police with Navarro’s license plate number and vehicle description. Navarro was identified by witnesses as the shooter and was also identifiable in dashcam footage from the mall parking lot. Navarro was charged with first-degree murder and five counts of second-degree assault for shooting at two cars in the mall parking lot with people inside.
Probable cause for arresting, and ultimately charging Navarro was based on witness statements, dashcam and security camera footage from stores in the mall that showed Navarro firing 14 rounds, and fatally wounding Jose De Jesus Rivera De La Cruz.
Navarro’s jury trial began on August 14, 2023; after a two-week trial with testimony from countless witnesses, including Mr. Navarro who testified in his own defense, a review of evidence, and an overview of the case, he was found not guilty.
Mr. Navarro was acquitted of all charges and ordered to be released from custody immediately on August 29, 2023. Congratulations, Mr. Navarro and Quantum Legal.
When facing criminal charges, worker’s compensation, and personal injury in Washington, you don’t want just any lawyer. You need a team of local attorneys who understand local, state, and federal laws inside and out. At Quantum Legal, we offer our clients over 50 years of experience representing clients in the areas of life that affect them most. You can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to get you the best results possible for your case. Call our southeastern Washington office at (509) 783-5551 to schedule your no-cost legal consultation.
