Convicted murderer was paroled for fatal knife attack in 2003

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) – Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer announced that the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) has denied the release of convicted murderer Daniel Gomez.

On October 2, 2024, the BPH determined that Gomez continues to pose a current and unreasonable risk to public safety.

According to court documents, Otoniel “Tony” Mitchel was stabbed to death on November 19, 2003, because he intervened in an argument between his cousin Daniel Gomez and Gomez’s pregnant girlfriend.

The 25-year-old victim lived in an apartment with his cousin while he was looking for work. His cousin also lived in the same apartment with his girlfriend.

This friend’s pregnant daughter also lived there. The father of the unborn child was Daniel Gomez.

The woman and Gomez were together at the time of the stabbing. However, Gomez was not allowed to stay in the apartment. Gomez repeatedly ignored the family’s wishes and came to the apartment to visit his girlfriend whenever he thought no one was around.

On November 19, 2003, Gomez’s girlfriend’s mother was on her way to work. The mother repeatedly called the apartment to ask if her daughter was home because she was concerned because her daughter had not come home the night before.

Around 11 a.m., the victim answered the phone at the apartment and told the girl’s mother that Gomez and her daughter were both in the apartment.

Around noon, the victim’s cousin left work and went back to the apartment to check the situation.

When the victim’s cousin got home, the victim, Gomez and the pregnant woman were all in the apartment.

An argument ensued and the victim ended up holding Gomez to stop him from physically attacking his cousin. The victim’s cousin kicked Gomez out of the apartment.

A short time later, Gomez returned to the apartment complex with another man. Gomez saw the victim outside the apartment and chased him.

When Gomez caught up with the victim, he stabbed him in the chest. The victim died from two knife wounds to the upper left chest. The fatal wound was five inches deep, penetrated his heart and caused massive internal bleeding.

Based on the injuries, it was determined that the victim was stabbed from behind and side.

The victim had additional injuries to the left side of his head consistent with a blow from a club or fist.

On March 5, 2004, a Kern County jury found Gomez guilty of second-degree murder and found he used a deadly weapon.

On April 5, 2004, a Kern County judge sentenced Gomez to a total sentence of 16 years to life.

While incarcerated for murder, Gomez committed additional crimes in prison, including assault on a non-prisoner, resisting officers and assault with a deadly weapon.

For his crimes committed in prison, Gomez was sentenced to an additional 15 years and 4 months in prison, consecutive to his original sentence.

On October 2, 2024, the Parole Board conducted Gomez’s second parole hearing. Gomez is currently 39 years old. He spent approximately 21 years in state prison.

At the parole hearing, commissioners focused on Gomez’s institutional behavior, including schemes to evade victim compensation, prison violence, gang activity, rehabilitation programs, substance abuse and drug activity in the community and prison.

The Kern County District Attorney’s Office asked BPH to deny probation. The BPH determined that Gomez was not suitable for parole and posed an unreasonable risk to society at this time.

The BPH has the option to deny parole for a period of 15, 10, 7, 5 or 3 years.

Gomez commissioners issued a 10-year denial.

“In addition to the seriousness of his original crime, Gomez has demonstrated a disturbing pattern of behavior while incarcerated. The denial of 10 years of probation is not only justified, but necessary to ensure the protection of our community,” said Kern District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer.