Adult Time for Adult Crime: Samuel Puebla

Cully Stimson / October 29, 2009

On November 9th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences. In preparation for oral arguments, JLWOP: Faces & Cases will be an on-going series on The Foundry that will tell real stories about juvenile offenders who are currently serving LWOP sentences.

Defendant: Samuel Puebla (17)
Victim: Valerie Zavala
Crimes: First degree murder, attempted rape and felony murder
Crime date: January 1, 2003 in Fillmore, California

Summary
Samuel Puebla attempted to rape a college student whom he met at a party and, when she resisted, beat her head and chest before strangling her to death with his bare hands. (more…)