SANTA CRUZ, CA - Adrian “A.J.” Gonzalez could be released from prison pending the resolution of a California trial to determine if he is still a danger to society. At age fifteen, Gonzalez kidnapped, raped, and murdered eight-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton.
Given that he was tried and convicted as a juvenile, California law requires that he is eligible for release by his 25th birthday unless prosecutors can prove that he is a danger to society. His release was scheduled for October 2024, but the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office issued a legal challenge.
As reported by KRON4, the trial to determine if Gonzalez is a danger has progressed for months with extensive testimony for jurors to consider. In the coming days, the final witnesses will testify and deliberations will commence. Should he be found a danger to society, his parole will be revisited every two years.
Assistant District Attorney Tara George said that psychologists evaluating Gonzalez said he had “never seen a crime like this committed by somebody of his age.”
The Daily Mail reported that Gonzalez pleaded guilty in juvenile court in 2021 and was tried as a juvenile despite only being able to serve three years under the law at that time. The situation was muddied by the 2021 passage of Proposition 57 which allows offenders over the age of 16 to be tried as adults.
The ADA told reporters that Gonzalez is a “master at deception” who “has no emotion, sheds no tears, there is no regret, and no remorse.”
The details of his crimes are disturbing in nature. According to KRON, the 15-year-old violent sex offender lured the eight-year-old Madyson "Maddy" Middleton to his mother's apartment promising ice cream. He then dragged her to a bed and strangled her for half an hour. Believing the girl to be dead he then raped her and put her into a trash bag. When he realized she was still alive, Gonzalez stabbed her in the neck.
A defense attorney who previously represented Gonzalez said he attacked the girl to satisfy his “sexual urge.”
Psychologists, Dr. Roger Karlsson and Dr. Richard Shaw reportedly testified before the court that Gonzalez could be on the autism spectrum KRON reported. Forensic psychologist Dr. Roger Karlsson told the court Monday that in group therapy sessions Gonzalez appeared to downplay his crimes serious nature. He reportedly tested him for psychopathy finding his score to be moderate, approximately 13 points below what is considered to be psychopathic. He added there were also symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Daniel Lee Middleton Jr., the late victim’s uncle represented the family to KRON and said they do not wish to see her killer freed. “This young man needs to stay in jail. Our family has been devastated over our loss for so long now.”
Given that he was tried and convicted as a juvenile, California law requires that he is eligible for release by his 25th birthday unless prosecutors can prove that he is a danger to society. His release was scheduled for October 2024, but the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office issued a legal challenge.
As reported by KRON4, the trial to determine if Gonzalez is a danger has progressed for months with extensive testimony for jurors to consider. In the coming days, the final witnesses will testify and deliberations will commence. Should he be found a danger to society, his parole will be revisited every two years.
Assistant District Attorney Tara George said that psychologists evaluating Gonzalez said he had “never seen a crime like this committed by somebody of his age.”
The Daily Mail reported that Gonzalez pleaded guilty in juvenile court in 2021 and was tried as a juvenile despite only being able to serve three years under the law at that time. The situation was muddied by the 2021 passage of Proposition 57 which allows offenders over the age of 16 to be tried as adults.
The ADA told reporters that Gonzalez is a “master at deception” who “has no emotion, sheds no tears, there is no regret, and no remorse.”
The details of his crimes are disturbing in nature. According to KRON, the 15-year-old violent sex offender lured the eight-year-old Madyson "Maddy" Middleton to his mother's apartment promising ice cream. He then dragged her to a bed and strangled her for half an hour. Believing the girl to be dead he then raped her and put her into a trash bag. When he realized she was still alive, Gonzalez stabbed her in the neck.
Attorneys give closing arguments in trial to decide release of Adrian ‘A.J.’ Gonzalez https://t.co/3uObgyJa2O
— Santa Cruz Sentinel (@scsentinel) February 13, 2025
A defense attorney who previously represented Gonzalez said he attacked the girl to satisfy his “sexual urge.”
Psychologists, Dr. Roger Karlsson and Dr. Richard Shaw reportedly testified before the court that Gonzalez could be on the autism spectrum KRON reported. Forensic psychologist Dr. Roger Karlsson told the court Monday that in group therapy sessions Gonzalez appeared to downplay his crimes serious nature. He reportedly tested him for psychopathy finding his score to be moderate, approximately 13 points below what is considered to be psychopathic. He added there were also symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Daniel Lee Middleton Jr., the late victim’s uncle represented the family to KRON and said they do not wish to see her killer freed. “This young man needs to stay in jail. Our family has been devastated over our loss for so long now.”
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Comments
2025-02-19T17:46-0500 | Comment by: Laurence
Released to murder more children, and cost society millions? He should be given the death penalty. (I suppose Biden would pardon him if he were still in office).
2025-02-19T21:45-0500 | Comment by: William F
The US should be putting together a list of illegals who have committed horrible crimes to be deported back to south america--from 30,000 feet without any parachutes.
2025-02-19T21:45-0500 | Comment by: William F
The US should be putting together a list of illegals who have committed horrible crimes to be deported back to south america--from 30,000 feet without any parachutes.
2025-02-19T21:59-0500 | Comment by: James
So are the going to bring this little girl back to life and make her forget what this POS animal did to her? He needs to be executed or at the very least spend the rest of his useless life in prison! If they let him out make Nancy Pelosi adopt him!
2025-02-19T22:54-0500 | Comment by: Dawn
Scum like this should never see the outside of a prison. If he did that as a teenager, can you imagine what he'll do as an adult? He should be either serving life in prison or be on death row. Teenagers should NOT get lighter sentences when they do something so brutal.
2025-02-20T03:41-0500 | Comment by: Terry
Anyone who molests children should face death. The same for rapists.
2025-02-20T03:41-0500 | Comment by: Terry
Anyone who molests children should face death. The same for rapists.
2025-02-20T06:39-0500 | Comment by: James
No way should this animal ever be turned loose.
2025-02-21T08:56-0500 | Comment by: Teri
Really!! Do they really think this creep has changed. They say you can’t change a rapist. If they let him out he will do this to another innocent child. Hope if he does the police just kills him then. He does not deserve to be let out ever.
2025-02-21T14:43-0500 | Comment by: Rick
Kalifornia seems to have a love affair with releasing predators on its citizens. Answer... if released, watch him closely. WHEN he reoffends, justice should be given swiftly by the citizenry since the courts don't seem to care.