NewsMyNewsLAOctober 28, 2026Los Angeles County
Testimony Resumes in Trial of Johnny Ramirez for Fatal 2020 Cathedral City Attack
Photo: MyNewsLA
Prosecution testimony resumed in the trial of Johnny Ramirez, who is accused alongside Edgar Navez of the 2020 fatal stabbing of Ricardo Gallardo in Cathedral City. Ramirez is charged with first-degree murder and a sentence-enhancing weapon allegation, while Navez remains at large after fleeing before a warrant was served. The trial, presided over by Riverside County Superior Court Judge Matthew Perantoni, is expected to conclude early next week.
Read the full story at MyNewsLAWhy It Matters
A jury is weighing charges and a potential $1 million detention outcome following a 2020 homicide investigation that relied on recovered mobile phone video evidence delayed by technological limitations until 2023.
Key Facts
- Johnny Ramirez, 34, and Edgar Navez, 33, are charged with first-degree murder and a weapon-use sentence-enhancing allegation in the 2020 killing of 24-year-old Ricardo Gallardo.
- Edgar Navez allegedly fled before a warrant could be served and has been at large since 2020.
- Johnny Ramirez is being held at the Robert Presley Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
- The attack took place on the evening of Nov. 23, 2020, near Aliso Road and Avenida Del Yerma in Cathedral City after a verbal altercation.
- Ricardo Gallardo suffered 11 puncture wounds to his head, chest, and stomach during the assault.
- Investigators recovered a mobile phone dropped by Ramirez at the scene, which was successfully unlocked in 2023 due to technological improvements and contained incriminating video evidence.
- Johnny Ramirez was arrested without incident on August 8, 2023, in Escondido.
- Trial testimony is taking place before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Matthew Perantoni and is expected to conclude early next week.
Who's Mentioned
locationEscondido“Hometown and arrest location of Johnny Ramirez”OrganizationRobert Presley Jail“Facility where Ramirez is being held”PersonEdgar Navez“Co-defendant who allegedly fled and is at large”locationRiverside County“Jurisdiction of the superior court and district attorney's office”locationCathedral City“Location where the attack occurred”PersonRicardo Gallardo“Victim of the fatal attack”PersonJohnny Ramirez“Defendant on trial for first-degree murder”OrganizationDistrict Attorney’s Office“Prosecuting agency that filed the trial brief”OrganizationDesert Regional Medical Center“Hospital where the victim died”OrganizationRiverside County Superior Court“Court handling the trial”PersonMatthew Perantoni“Riverside County Superior Court Judge presiding over the trial”locationDesert Hot Springs“Hometown of Edgar Navez”