SALINAS MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE AND ROBBERY FOR BRUTAL KILLING OF YOUNG HOLLISTER MAN IN 2021

Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced today that a Monterey County jury found Skyler Narcecio Barriga, age 21, of Salinas, guilty of Murder in the First Degree for killing Jonothan Maciel, age 19 in 2021. He was also convicted of Robbery and the use of a gun. Judge Andrew Liu will sentence the defendant on October 14, 2026. The defendant is facing more than 25 years to life in prison.

On October 5, 2021, the defendant, aged 16 at the time, arranged to meet the victim for a date. The defendant arrived at the date wearing black rubber gloves, a face mask and brought a gun. While in the victim's car, the defendant strangled the victim with a ligature and shot him in the back. He died shortly thereafter. Police stopped the defendant within minutes driving the victim's stolen car and wearing his stolen backpack. When the Salinas Police tried to take him into custody, he ran and reached for his gun. He was shot and taken into custody with the help of a Police K9. He quickly recovered from his wounds.

The District Attorney sought and obtained a transfer of the case to adult court because of the defendant's dangerousness and the unlikelihood of his rehabilitation in the juvenile system.

This case was investigated by the Seaside Police Department.