NewsCrime

Actions

Man found guilty of first-degree murder by Kern County jury

Court and Legal Decisions (FILE)
Posted

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — A Kern County jury has found a man guilty in the first-degree murder of 22-year-old Lupe Melendrez.

24-year-old Cody Joyave had been dating Melendrez since they were in junior high. Officials say by April, the relationship became violent, including at least one domestic violence incident in which Joyave strangled her into unconsciousness. A month later, Joyave slashed Melendrez's throat, killing her.

Sentencing is expected to be held on January 26th of next year.



,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Sunday

04/27/2025

Few Showers

64° / 51°

32%

Monday

04/28/2025

AM Clouds/PM Sun

73° / 54°

5%

Tuesday

04/29/2025

Sunny

85° / 59°

1%

Wednesday

04/30/2025

Partly Cloudy

85° / 60°

0%

Thursday

05/01/2025

Mostly Sunny

85° / 62°

9%

Friday

05/02/2025

Mostly Sunny

87° / 59°

8%

Saturday

05/03/2025

Few Showers

68° / 51°

33%

Sunday

05/04/2025

Partly Cloudy

70° / 53°

11%