Eric Umali, a 54-year-old resident of Redwood City, was denied parole after being found guilty of the 1996 attempted murder of Bertha Valencia, a 9-year-old girl, as reported by the San Mateo County District Attorney. The decision was made during a parole hearing attended by the Assistant DA, who cited that Umali "poses an unreasonable risk of danger to the community" as the grounds for the denial. The violent crime, which left the young girl with about 100 stab wounds, was committed in an apartment building where both the victim and the attacker lived as neighbors.
Eric Umali (54) was denied parole following a hearing attended by our Assistant DA, because "the prisoner poses an unreasonable risk of danger to the community." Umali was convicted of attempted murder with premeditation in 1998 for repeatedly stabbing his 9 year old neighbor. pic.twitter.com/52Sraki3jA
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) December 6, 2023
Umali, who had a previous conviction for sexually assaulting a Union City boy in 1993, was out on bail pending a deportation hearing when he assaulted Valencia. Details of the 1998 trial, obtained by SFGate, reveal a chilling account of Umali, wearing red prison clothes and manacles, sitting silently as the judge read the verdict. The attack had generated widespread concern in San Mateo County, leading officials to form a task force dedicated to monitoring convicted sex offenders.
Arguments regarding Umali's mental state at the time of the crime were to commence following the conviction. Depending on the outcome, Umali faced the prospect of life in state prison or, if found insane, placement in a state mental institution. Despite his attorney Savas Loukedis's advice, Umali chose to testify, vehemently denying the charges against him and blaming the attack on an unidentified man. However, the prosecution brought forth compelling testimony from Bertha Valencia, who pointed out Umali in the courtroom as her attacker.
The parole board found Umali to still constitute a threat, asserting the need to protect the community from potential harm. This decision comes despite Umali's lengthy period behind bars since his conviction for the heinous crime that occurred over two decades ago.
