Ventura County, Calif. — A California man and woman have been convicted of first-degree murder after luring his ex-girlfriend from a nightclub on St. Patrick’s Day 2024 and fatally shooting her in an alley.
According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Margarita Jimenez, 34, and Jorge Garfias, 38, were found guilty in the killing of Yanelly Vargas, 35.
The Confrontation
The case began on March 17, 2024, when Vargas called Garfias while he and Jimenez were at home watching television. Hearing another woman’s voice, Jimenez confronted Garfias, who admitted it was Vargas, his former partner, out celebrating the holiday at a nightclub in Oxnard.
Jimenez later testified she was “tired of the drama” and feared Vargas and Garfias were rekindling their relationship. “I felt anger, I felt betrayed, I felt lied to,” she said in court.
Prosecutors said the pair then drove to the nightclub, lured Vargas into Garfias’ truck through text messages, and took her to an industrial alley nearby. There, an argument turned violent, and Vargas was beaten before attempting to flee.
The Fatal Shooting
Surveillance video captured the moments that followed. Jimenez exited the truck, chased Vargas, and shot her in the chest with a 9mm handgun. She attempted to fire again, but the gun jammed.
Neighbors who heard the confrontation called 911, and dispatchers reported hearing the gunshot over the phone. When officers arrived, Vargas was already dead. In addition to the fatal gunshot wound, prosecutors said she suffered blunt force trauma and signs of strangulation.
Investigators later discovered blood evidence, a spent shell casing, acrylic nails tied to Jimenez, and a blood-stained yellow rope near the victim.
Arrest and Conviction
Jimenez and Garfias were arrested two weeks after the killing. Following the trial, both were convicted of first-degree murder.
A separate trial on special allegations and aggravating factors is scheduled to begin Monday, which could determine harsher sentencing.
Leave a Reply