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Man who fought Palo Alto cops charged with San Jose murder

Police say Ryan Goodson stabbed a homeless man in San Jose just hours before his Palo Alto arrest

A 34-year-old man who was arrested in February after a violent altercation with Palo Alto officers has been charged with a murder that took place in San Jose just hours earlier.

Ryan Goodson, a 34-year-old transient from Fresno, was arrested on Feb. 6 after a foot chase and struggle with Palo Alto police on Lytton Avenue, near Emerson Street. Officers tried to detain him after receiving several calls from downtown residents about a man jumping over backyard fences and, at one point, jumping through a glass storefront at Da Hookah Spot on University Avenue. During the fight with officers, Goodson reportedly ripped a gun out of an officer's belt, pointed it at the officer and tried to pull the trigger. The gun wouldn't fire because Goodson couldn't take it out of the holster.

Palo Alto police ultimately restrained him using a Taser and a leg-immobilization device. On March 26, Goodson pleaded no contest to numerous charges stemming from the scuffle. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's office handed down a recommended eight-year sentence.

Now, he is also being charged with taking part in San Jose's fifth homicide of the year, which occurred shortly after midnight on Feb. 6 on South Market Street. San Jose police have identified Goodson as the suspect in the stabbing death of Jason Rosario, 26, a homeless man. The stabbing occurred less than 15 hours before Goodson's arrest in Palo Alto.

According to San Jose police, officers received a call about the stabbing at about 12:20 a.m. that day and arrived on scene to find an adult male with at least one stab wound. The man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

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In a statement Thursday, San Jose police Lt. Michael Kihmm recognized officers who responded to the initial crime scene for preserving evidence that was "crucial in the identification of the suspect" and that "resulted in building a solid case."

"This is especially notable because the homicide occurred in the middle of night and during a heavy rainstorm," Kihmm said.

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Gennady Sheyner
 
Gennady Sheyner covers the City Hall beat in Palo Alto as well as regional politics, with a special focus on housing and transportation. Before joining the Palo Alto Weekly/PaloAltoOnline.com in 2008, he covered breaking news and local politics for the Waterbury Republican-American, a daily newspaper in Connecticut. Read more >>

Follow on Twitter @paloaltoweekly, Facebook and on Instagram @paloaltoonline for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more.

Man who fought Palo Alto cops charged with San Jose murder

Police say Ryan Goodson stabbed a homeless man in San Jose just hours before his Palo Alto arrest

A 34-year-old man who was arrested in February after a violent altercation with Palo Alto officers has been charged with a murder that took place in San Jose just hours earlier.

Ryan Goodson, a 34-year-old transient from Fresno, was arrested on Feb. 6 after a foot chase and struggle with Palo Alto police on Lytton Avenue, near Emerson Street. Officers tried to detain him after receiving several calls from downtown residents about a man jumping over backyard fences and, at one point, jumping through a glass storefront at Da Hookah Spot on University Avenue. During the fight with officers, Goodson reportedly ripped a gun out of an officer's belt, pointed it at the officer and tried to pull the trigger. The gun wouldn't fire because Goodson couldn't take it out of the holster.

Palo Alto police ultimately restrained him using a Taser and a leg-immobilization device. On March 26, Goodson pleaded no contest to numerous charges stemming from the scuffle. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's office handed down a recommended eight-year sentence.

Now, he is also being charged with taking part in San Jose's fifth homicide of the year, which occurred shortly after midnight on Feb. 6 on South Market Street. San Jose police have identified Goodson as the suspect in the stabbing death of Jason Rosario, 26, a homeless man. The stabbing occurred less than 15 hours before Goodson's arrest in Palo Alto.

According to San Jose police, officers received a call about the stabbing at about 12:20 a.m. that day and arrived on scene to find an adult male with at least one stab wound. The man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.

In a statement Thursday, San Jose police Lt. Michael Kihmm recognized officers who responded to the initial crime scene for preserving evidence that was "crucial in the identification of the suspect" and that "resulted in building a solid case."

"This is especially notable because the homicide occurred in the middle of night and during a heavy rainstorm," Kihmm said.

Comments

UC Davis Grad
Mountain View
on Apr 3, 2014 at 3:35 pm
UC Davis Grad, Mountain View
on Apr 3, 2014 at 3:35 pm

Wow...THAT is scary...


resident
Downtown North
on Apr 3, 2014 at 4:32 pm
resident, Downtown North
on Apr 3, 2014 at 4:32 pm

The perp had a gun. Why did the cops taser him instead of shooting him? If the taser was ineffective, lots of people could have been killed.


You're Welcome
Barron Park
on Apr 3, 2014 at 4:47 pm
You're Welcome, Barron Park
on Apr 3, 2014 at 4:47 pm

resident, after you re-read the story about how the perp TOOK THE COP'S GUN AWAY FROM HIM, you may understand why he decided to use his tazer instead of his gun. Gosh I'm glad you're looking out for all of our safety though.


Matt
Greenmeadow
on Apr 3, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Matt, Greenmeadow
on Apr 3, 2014 at 6:17 pm

You're welcome, after you re-read the story about how, "DURING THE FIGHT WITH THE OFFICERS", you might understand that there were multiple officers. I agree resident, the other officer (the one who didn't let a homeless man steal his/her firearm) should have ended the threat more definitively.


Dreamworld
another community
on Apr 3, 2014 at 11:00 pm
Dreamworld, another community
on Apr 3, 2014 at 11:00 pm

Got to love the keyboard tough guys who all have opinions on what the officers should have done. For those familiar with the realities of hand to hand combat you may appreciate the challenges of trying to shoot a suspect who is violently moving and intertwined with a fellow officer.


JustMe
Duveneck/St. Francis
on Apr 6, 2014 at 2:08 pm
JustMe, Duveneck/St. Francis
on Apr 6, 2014 at 2:08 pm

Dreamworld,

I agree with your post, but I would also like to point out (in addition) that even if you could get a clear shot at the suspect, unlike the movies where the bullets usually stop where you want them to, in real life the bullets would probably tend to pierce the suspect and continue on to the officer he was wrestling with.

In any case, the least lethal solution is always the best. I believe the PAPD handled this perfectly.

On the other hand, do you feel safer knowing this guy is off the streets? Or do you feel less-safe knowing that people like this exist so close to your home?


musical
Palo Verde
on Apr 7, 2014 at 7:19 am
musical, Palo Verde
on Apr 7, 2014 at 7:19 am

>> "Or do you feel less-safe knowing that people like this exist so close to your home?"

"Palo Alto police arrest naked man after string of attacks" -- Web Link

Closer than I thought. Can't imaging the carnage when drugs are legalized.


kimberlee
College Terrace
on Sep 15, 2014 at 3:14 pm
kimberlee, College Terrace
on Sep 15, 2014 at 3:14 pm

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