BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A convicted murderer, Arturo Huerta, 73, was denied parole by the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH), announced the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
The decision from Nov. 20, 2025, was made when the board found Huerta continues to pose a current and unreasonable risk to public safety.
Huerta was convicted by a Kern County jury on Dec. 5, 2012, of second-degree murder. The jury also found true that he personally used a deadly or dangerous weapon during the commission of the murder. He was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison the following month.
On April 17, 2011, law enforcement was called to a report of domestic violence when Arturo Huerta’s roommate heard a woman screaming “No, no, Arturo, please(.)” His roommate heard the sounds of glass breaking, items being thrown around the room, and sounds of a struggle coming from Huerta’s bedroom.
Huerta only started renting a room from the homeowner two weeks before.
When law enforcement arrived, they found Huerta covered in blood, and all four of his bedroom walls had blood splatter on them.
The body of victim Acamea Coy was found inside Huerta’s bedroom. Her arms were bound with a necktie. Her mouth and eyes were covered by a scarf tied to her face. Inside the bedroom, officers found a ball-peen hammer and a knife covered in blood and glass on the floor. The victim died as a result of severe loss of blood due to injuries caused by a sharp object, asphyxia and cocaine intoxication. The coroner determined that the victim had defensive wounds.
During Huerta’s second parole hearing on June 10, 2025, the BPH focused on the details of the murder, his criminal history, the reasons for his denial of parole in 2023, and the authenticity of the writings he prepared and submitted to the panel in advance of his hearing.
The DA said that after over two hours into the hearing, an unexpected emergency caused the hearing to be continued to Nov. 20. During the hearing, the inmate changed his testimony from that in his June hearing. Huerta talked about his history of domestic violence and the details of the murder. The commissioners focused on these areas and additional areas related to rehabilitative programming and community support, said officials.
Huerta, who is 73, has served 15 years in prison. He was 59 when he murdered the woman.
The Kern County DA’s Office asked the BPH to deny Huerta parole, as the board found that Huerta was not suitable for parole and posed a current unreasonable risk of danger to society.
Huerta’s commissioners issued a three-year denial for Huerta’s possible parole. Huerta’s next parole hearing date could be as soon as 18 months.
“Huerta carried out an extremely brutal murder. The victim did not deserve the immense suffering she endured, which ultimately cost her life,” stated Kern County DA Cynthia Zimmer.