Pete Valdez will appear in South County Courthouse for third
time Friday morning – continuance likely
GILROY
The man accused of trying to shoot a police officer in the face last winter will appear in court Friday morning.
Last time Pete Joseph Valdez III, 28, appeared in court Jan. 22, his privately hired defense attorney, Brendt Ingo Brauer, successfully requested a continuance to address evidence presented by Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Mark Hood.
One month later, Valdez will re-appear at the South County Courthouse in San Martin at 9 a.m. Friday on felony charges of attempted murder of a police officer, assault of a police officer with a firearm, being a felon in possession of a gun, and delaying or resisting a police officer. If convicted of these charges Valdez, who was denied bail three months ago, would spend the rest of his life in prison.
Deputy District Attorney Mark Hood has said Friday’s court appearance could result in the scheduling of a preliminary hearing, another continuance or a discussion before the judge. Valdez initially appeared in court Dec. 14.
“It wouldn’t be surprising in a case like this,” Hood said of the possibility of Valdez’s attorney requesting another continuance.
About 3 a.m. Nov. 15, Gilroy police officer John Ballard noticed Valdez biking east on West Eighth Street without a headlight and on the wrong side of the road, police said. When Ballard tried to stop him, Valdez took off.
Ballard caught up with Valdez a few blocks later and a foot chase ensued, police said. During the pursuit, Valdez punched and kicked the officer, then pulled a .25-caliber semiautomatic handgun loaded with seven hollow-point bullets. Valdez aimed the gun at Ballard’s face and repeatedly pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed and did not fire.
Ballard resumed fighting with Valdez while another officer arrived and helped subdue and arrest Valdez. In an interview after the incident, Valdez said he pulled the gun in hopes that an officer would shoot and kill him.
“I don’t want to live,” said a crying Valdez.
Valdez has 10 prior convictions including three felony convictions for a strong-arm robbery.
Valdez is the son of former 16-year Gilroy councilman Pete Valdez Jr., who has been present at his son’s three previous court appearances.
