Novato High Student Avoids Adult Charges in San Rafael Gang-Related Killing

The Marin County District Attorney filed murder charges Thursday against two suspected gang members accused in the stabbing death of on May 11, but neither suspect is the 17-year-old Novato High who was arrested after the incident.

Carlos Eduardo Gutierrez, 18, and Bryan Sandoval Rocha, 17, are charged with the murder of Jeffrie Lee Olmstead, 21, of Corte Madera. Gutierrez and Rocha are also charged with assault with deadly weapon, vandalism and participation in a street gang. Although Rocha is a juvenile, he is being tried as an adult because of the nature of the crime, according to District Attorney Ed Berberian.
 
If convicted, both men could potentially face life sentences, Berberian said.

Officials with the Novato Unified School District said Rocha is not the 17-year-old suspect who was attending Novato High this school year. The unnamed minor is expected to face charges of participating in a street gang in juvenile court, police said.

Gutierrez and Rocha appear in court at 9 a.m. Friday to enter their pleas, although Gutierrez’s lawyer, Terrance Bennett, is not sure what the plea will be.

On May 11, a group of males were seen running with sticks and baseball bats near the in the early evening. The men left in two cars and proceeded after each other until they came to Woods Street in Gerstle Park, where they began fighting once again, said police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher.

Olmstead, and two men, Oscar Arroyo and Jesus Govea, were injured, according to the court documents.

After interviewing several witnesses, detectives arrested Gutierrez at his Canal Street home, according to police. Three juveniles, including Rocha, were also arrested.

Gutierrez is a student at Madrone High School, and, along with Rocha, is believed to have connections with the Norteño street gang, according to the court documents. Norteños traditionally wear red and have members in Terra Linda and Novato.

Their rival gang is the Sureños meaning “southerners.” These gang members usually wear blue and have connections with the Mexican Mafia, a powerful prison gang from San Quentin, also known as “La Eme.” Olmstead is believed to have affiliations with the Sureños, according to Det. Chris Duncan.