After years of handling many of North County’s most notorious cases, Jimenez was named supervisor of the North County branch of the Public Defender’s Office.

Martinez innocent of murder in two vehicle deaths, though.

By John Wilkens

After deliberating less than seven hours, a Superior Court jury here yesterday found Rudy Martinez of Oceanside innocent of murder but guilty of manslaughter for killing two pedestrians with his car in Cardiff last year.

Defense attorney John Jimenez, who patted Martinez on the shoulder as the verdicts were read, said he will appeal the manslaughter conviction on grounds of insufficient evidence.

Jimenez said he felt vindicated by the acquittal of second-degree murder counts. He has criticized prosecutors for filing those charges, saying they bowed to pressure from organizations opposing drunken driving.

By Valerie Alvord

Former skateboard superstar Mark “Gator” Anthony pleaded guilty yesterday to the first-degree murder and forcible rape of a 22-year-old woman found buried last year in a shallow desert grave.

His attorney, John Jimenez, said the 24-year-old, internationally known performer suffers from manic depression.

By Rocky Rushing

An Escondido resident facing murder charges was released from jail Tuesday after 10 days imprisonment when prosecutors discovered they had the wrong man.

“A warrant was out on Vasquez,” said public defender John Jimenez, “but my client didn’t have anything to do with it.”

By Kathie Swoverland Hinnen

A murder charge against a 23 year old Mexican citizen was dismissed Wednesday, after a Municipal Court judge determined there was insufficient evidence to send him to trial.

“They had no witness who could testify that he stabbed the victim,” said Chavez’ attorney John Jimenez of Public Defenders.