BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The Kern County District Attorney’s Office said the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) denied release to a man convicted of murder back in 1992.
On May 12, 2026, BPH found that Robert Gonzalez continues to pose a current and unreasonable risk to public safety.
The DA’s office said on 4th of July 1992, Gonzalez shot and killed Jose Soto in a gang-related shooting on Marcus Street in Bakersfield.
According to the DA’s office, that night, the victim and his cousin left a family party to go to a store. When they were driving, the victim and his cousin saw two men on bicycles. Gonzalez was one of the men on the bikes. One of the men yelled, sounding as if they knew them or were trying to get their attention. When they stopped their car, Gonzalez and his partner got off their bicycles and approached the passenger side of the vehicle where the victim was seated.
Gonzalez, the victim, and the victim’s cousin all had previous alterations prior to the murder, according to the DA’s office.
At trial, the victim’s cousin testified that Gonzalez told them he didn’t want any trouble, but when the victim’s cousin drove away, Gonzalez shot into the car. The victim slumped over and fell on his cousin. The victim died from a .38 caliber gunshot wound to the right side of his head that was fired from a 6 to 12 inch distance, according to the DA’s office.
On December 30, 1992, a jury found Gonzalez guilty of murder in the first degree. The jury also found true that Gonzalez personally used a firearm during the commission of the murder. On April 19, 1993, a Kern County Judge sentenced Gonzalez to 29 years to life in prison. Gonzalez is currently 53 years old and has served approximately 33 years in state prison.
On May 12, 2026, the BPH conducted Gonzalez’s third parole hearing. At the hearing, Gonzalez’s commissioners focused on his latest evaluation rating him a high risk for violence, his gang activity in the community, gang activity in prison until 2024, his history of domestic violence, and substance abuse.
The Kern County District Attorney’s Office asked the board to deny parole. The BPH found that Gonzalez was not suitable for parole because he continued to pose a current unreasonable risk of danger to society. The Board of Parole has the option of denying an inmate parole for a period of 15, 10, 7, 5 or 3 years. Gonzalez’s commissioners issued a three-year denial.
District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer commented, “I am pleased that the Board of Parole agreed with the District Attorney’s position that Gonzalez is far from suitable for release into the community. He has a documented history of violence and continued involvement in gang activity both inside and outside of prison. For the safety of the public, it is critical that he remain incarcerated.”