Witness Testifies – What Happened Moments Before a Fight Took the Life of a San Miguel Man

Two prison guards charged with man slaughter for their alleged roles in a fight that led to the death of a San Miguel man appeared in court on Friday.

It was standing room only in the courtroom Friday Morning. Filled with friends and family of the accused prison guards on one days and more than a dozen people in t-shirts with the text ‘Justice for Alvaro.’

Part of a fight that led to Alvaro Medrano’s death was caught on surveillance cameras.

A key witness at the preliminary hearing Danielle Boatwright, she was working as a bartender at the Elkhorn Bar in San Miguel the night Medrano died.

She described the moments that led to the fight.

Prosecutors say two groups were involved in the fight outside the Elkhorn Bar.

In one group, three off duty prison guard wearing football jerseys. Two of the guards, Travis Woolf and Sergio Aranda of are charged each with single felony counts of voluntary manslaughter.

The other group included Medrano and his friend, and others who later met up with them.

Moments before that fight Boatwright said the two groups were friendly.

“It didn’t seem like anything i should worry about,” Boatwright said.

Alvaro had been to the bar before, and Boatwright said he hadn’t been aggressive.

“He was probably the last person that I pictured doing something like that,” she said.

In an emotional testimony Boatwright who was working at the Elkhorm Bar apologized to the Medrano’s family and friends for not calling the police sooner.

After the bar closed the off duty prison guards were still inside finishing their drinks but Medrano left.

Investigators say according to surveillance video he made a phone call and walked back in to the bar with more people, but Boatwright had already called ‘last-call’ and was getting ready to close.

Ilan Funke-Bilu, Woolf’s attorney said , “As she ( Boatwright) is trying to convince them (Medrano) to leave she picks up on the tension.

There was tension when they weren’t allowed to order more drinks.

Before that fight broke out Medrano, according to testimony, said “We’ll be waiting for you.”

Alvaro Medrano, Sr. ? Family Statement

“We want to thank the thousands of friends, neighbors, vineyard owners, wine makers and community

members who have shown their support by sharing memories of Alvaro, helping our family during this

very difficult time and demanding Justice for Alvaro,” said Mayra Medrano, Alvaro’s youngest

daughter. “His killing was tragic and senseless and we are all heartbroken.”

“The surveillance video evidence presented in court today is clear and tells the truth, the Correctional

Officers beat Alvaro when he was defenseless and helpless, causing his death,” said Alvaro Medrano,

Jr. Alvaro’s son. “We hoped for quicker arrests and now expect aggressive prosecution and maximum

sentencing for those responsible.”

The Arraignment is scheduled for November 25.