Correctional Officer Turns Away Murder Suspect Trying to Turn Himself In

Rather than question Castro or arrest him, a deputy on duty at the time directed Castro to leave and turn himself in at the San Jose Police Department instead.

Hugo Ernesto Castro, of San Jose, Calif., tried to turn himself in at a local precinct Monday, but was told to go elsewhere even after he confessed to the stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend and handed over a note revealing the location of her body, according to ABC 7 Chicago. “Maybe they go the two blocks and turn themselves in”.

The assistant could not find any outstanding warrants or records for Castro, who then asked to speak to a correctional deputy privately, the statement said. The Sheriff’s Office maintains that at no point during the exchange did Castro mention that he was responsible for that dead body. The Custody Deputy has been reassigned from his job at the main jail, pending the outcome of an internal investigation. Castro was booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of murder.

In a statement to ABC7 News, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department said, “If the initial findings are true, then the Custody Deputy failed to meet the expectations of the department and we’ll take appropriate action to deal with the deputy”. On Tuesday, the county appointed a blue-ribbon commission led by former San Jose Independent Police Auditor and retired judge LaDoris Cordell to head a top-to-bottom audit and massive reform effort to address voluminous allegations of inmate mistreatment.

When police went to the location Castro gave, Barlas was pronounced dead at the scene, with several stab wounds visible on her front torso, according to The San Jose Mercury news.

The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Allessandra Alaine Barlas, according to a statement of facts filed in the case by police Detective Wayne Smith. He walked over to police headquarters where he was taken into custody, according to Newser.

Cynthia Sumida, a spokeswoman for the Santa Clara County district attorney, said Castro has been assigned a public defender.