Joseph Gallegos, 56; Was Fired as ‘Night Stalker’ Attorney
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OXNARD — Attorney Joseph Gallegos, who represented “Night Stalker” suspect Richard Ramirez for a brief period last fall, has died of a heart attack at age 56.
Gallegos died Friday in the emergency room of St. John’s Regional Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Jan Hollrith said.
Ramirez, who faces 14 murder counts and 54 other felony charges, hired the Oxnard attorney but fired him in favor of two San Jose lawyers. Los Angeles Municipal Judge Elva Soper approved the switch and Gallegos did not object.
“What I’m interested in is the proper administration of justice,” he said outside the courtroom at the time. “Far be it for me to stand in the way.”
Born in Bayfield, Colo., Gallegos had lived in Ventura County for more than a decade. He began his Oxnard practice in 1971.
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