‘This is a cold-blooded murder’: Highly anticipated trial of two men accused of murdering a prison counselor begins

Mikhala Armstrong
·2 min read
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A trial nearly two years in the making begins after a tragic August 2022 shooting near Target on Stockdale Highway left 43-year-old Benny Alcala Jr. dead as he charged his electric car.

Career criminal 31-year-old Robert Pernell Roberts and 24-year-old Sebastian Parra are charged with murder and attempted robbery in Alcala’s death.

“He was shot in the back and murdered,” said Prosecutor John Allen.

When news first broke of his death in 2022, Alcala’s mother-in-law, Mary Mendoza spoke to 17 News telling us she wanted answers.

“Who and why? There is no understanding right now of why,” said Mendoza.

The prosecution says the motive was robbery. Roberts was initially identified as the suspect and was charged in Alcala’s death. Parra was the prosecution’s key witness at Robert’s preliminary hearing claiming he’d met Roberts that night and had nothing to do with the killing. However, a grand jury later indicted Parra. In court Monday, the prosecution argued Roberts was the shooter, and Parra was a major participant in felony murder.

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“He knew Roberts planned to conceal. He followed him anyway and he provided the murder weapon,” said Allen.

Each defense attorney claimed their client was not the killer and the other defendant was.

Roberts’ attorney said the only gun at the scene was Parra’s.

“This is not a robbery of any sort, this is a cold-blooded murder committed by one individual and that one individual had a loaded firearm registered in his name with ammunition that matched the exact caliber and make at the scene,” Deputy Public Defender Gordon Lake.

Parra’s attorney said Roberts was the murderer, allegedly confessing to it on social media.

Both men face life terms in prison if convicted.

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