ACQUITTED KILLER, KILLS AGAIN

    INDIO, CA: Daniel Kenric Karlson (31), a documented gang member, will be charged in the July 13, 2008 murder of Jonny Godinez in the unincorporated area of Thousand Palms. Karlson was previously charged with two counts of murder in 2004 for the killing of Roberto Morales and Elizabeth Morales. He was acquitted by a jury on October 30, 2007 and released from custody. On July 13, 2008, both Karlson and Godinez were at a birthday party in Thousand Palms. Godinez was hit with multiple gunshots and later succumbed to his injuries at Desert Regional Medical Center. Karlson’s wife, Carol Avina (45), has been charged with being an accessory to murder for her role in helping Karlson flee after the July 13th murder.

    After the murder, Karlson fled to avoid capture. With assistance from the Arlington, Texas Police Department, Karlson was arrested two days after the murder on a warrant charging him with being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm. Karlson is expected to be turned over to the custody of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department within the next few days. Avina is being held in the Indio Jail. Both are expected to appear in court next week.

    “It’s unbelievable that this gang member was allowed to walk free in our community in the first place. We have a special place for people who are violent gang members and a detriment to our society….it’s called prison,” said Michael Jeandron, spokesman for the District Attorney’s Office. “We will hold this killer accountable for the people he has victimized and he will face the justice that he has worked so hard to avoid.”