CORONA, CALIFORNIA – A man who admitted to the killings of TikTok star Anthony Barajas and his date, Rylee Goodrich during a screening of “The Forever Purge” at a Regal Edwards Theater in Corona will spend the rest of his life in prison. Joseph Jimenez Jr. was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole during a hearing on Monday, also receiving additional sentences totaling 100 years to life for each murder and the use of a firearm in a felony.
The judge, while acknowledging Jimenez’s schizophrenia, found him to be sane at the time of the murders. This tragic event, which occurred in July 2021, shocked the community as Goodrich died on the scene, and Barajas passed away in the hospital a few days later. Their bodies were discovered by theater employees after the movie concluded.
Barajas, a popular figure on TikTok with a sizable following, was only 19 years old at the time of his death, while Goodrich was 18. The senseless act of violence left many in mourning, including Barajas’ mother, Catherine, who expressed relief at the conclusion of the sentencing, emphasizing the need to honor her son’s memory by spreading kindness and positivity in the world.
During the trial, Jimenez testified that he heard threatening voices, prompting him to act out of fear. He claimed to have been influenced by these voices for months leading up to the shooting, culminating in a tragic event that he acknowledges he knew was wrong. The prosecution highlighted Jimenez’s failure to adhere to his prescribed medication regimen as a contributing factor in the judge’s decision regarding his mental state at the time of the murders.
In a poignant closing argument, Jimenez’s defense attorney shed light on the impact of schizophrenia on the defendant’s actions, emphasizing that Jimenez was a victim of his own mental health struggles. Despite the tragic outcome, Jimenez’s sister, Daisy, spoke in defense of her brother, citing his struggles following their mother’s passing and subsequent diagnosis with schizophrenia as contributing factors to the heartbreaking events that unfolded.
Ultimately, the judge’s decision to deem Jimenez sane at the time of the murders was based on various factors, including his behavior before and after the shooting. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the intersection between mental health and criminal justice, highlighting the need for comprehensive support and resources for individuals grappling with severe mental illnesses.