Salinas teen gets max term after admitting to East Salinas laundromat murder

KSBW ^ | August 25, 2026 | Ricardo Tovar

[artichokegrower]

A Salinas teen was sentenced to the maximum term allowed under California law after admitting to a murder outside an East Salinas laundromat in April.

Two teens were accused of carrying out the shooting on the morning of April 27, 2026, outside a laundromat at 912 North Sanborn Road.

The younger suspect, a 14-year-old, admitted to committing first-degree murder, along with a special allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm, causing great bodily injury, according to the district attorney’s office

[artichokegrower]

Under California law, the 14-year-old cannot be tried in adult criminal court because of his age at the time of the offense, regardless of the severity of the crime, according to the district attorney. His case will remain in juvenile court.

But a 14 year old in Caiifornia can decide to undergo life changing sex change surgery

[TheDon]

Both should be executed.

[Hyman Roth]

The Tide really turned quickly in this case.

[dfwgator]

I grew up in Monterey, Salinas was always a “No Go” area.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

In 1965, a 15-year-old black neighbor murdered a 24 year-old Jewish Vietnam veteran (1st LT, platoon leader) waiting in a bus line in front of dozens of witnesses. His mother brought him into the police station in his bloody clothing.

Six years later, upon turning 21 he was released because New York criminal law only allowed holding minors convicted of crimes until they turned that age. The day he came back he assaulted a white kid, whom he knew and had no prior quarrel with, in the laundromat.

I don’t know what other valuable contributions he has made to society since, and doubt that he is still alive.

[null and void]

ICWYDT

Well played.

[muir_redwoods]

Got the maximum but we still cant know his name.

[Bon of Babble]

I remember a guy from the gang detail telling our high school students that older gang members often recruit young teens as assassins b/c they can’t be tried as adults (in California) - and will be out in a few years if convicted of murder.

“The 14-year-old was sentenced to the maximum term of seven years in a secure youth treatment facility.”

Over 18 most likely would receive LWOP:

“The maximum term for murder in California is death or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole (LWOP).”

Gavin Newsom made sure the death penalty was taken off of the table during his term.