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| Corona Police Dept. Press Release Date: 9/15/2004 Reference: Homicide Arrest and Correction to previous release. On September 3, 2004, at 0159 hours, Corona Police Officers responded to a stabbing in the parking lot of the Sav-on Drug store located at 1330 W. Sixth St., Corona. When the officers arrived, they found Joseph Valenza with multiple stab wounds to his body and head. Valenza was transported to Riverside Community Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries. During the investigation, Corona Police Detectives received information on the suspect. According to witnesses interviewed the suspect and Valenza had a disagreement earier in the evening at Babes 3 (the Office) Bar on west 6th St. During the disagreement the suspect brandished a very large knife at Valenza. The incident broke up when they learned the PD was called, sending all parties fleeing the seen. Later in the evening the suspect and Valenza both showed up at Michelle's Bar just down the street. The disagreement resurfaced outside the bar shortly after closing, Valenza was rushed from behind and attacked in the Sav-ons parking lot. At approximately 8:00 PM, the Detectives served a search warrant at the suspect's apartment in the 1500 block of Border Ave. Robert Morgan, 31 yrs of age, was arrested without incident. Investigators searched his home and believe the weapon used in the homicide was recovered. Robert Morgan was charged with murder and transported to the Robert Presley Detention Center for booking. |
| Joseph Paul Valenza Born: March 7,1963 Died: September 3, 2004 He was only 41 yrs old. Joe was cowardly attacked from behind and stabbed 8 times with a very large knife, by a man 10 yrs younger than him. Over a pool table light (at The Office/Babes earlier) being turned off and on. Regular customers stood up for Bree after she yelled at Robert to stop turning it off and on. While outside of the Office, Robert tried to pick a fight with Joe but, Johnny told Joe to go back inside the bar that he will handle it. Robert pulled this big knife and slashed at Johnnys shoulder down, barely missing him. Joe saw this from in the bar and called 911. Someone took Robert and drove him to the Lounge Bar. Later all 3 would would end up at Michelle's Bar where Joe would be murdered. The suspect Robert Morgan did not even know Joe, but had pre-meditated the attack hours before it happened. Robert even mentioned to my boyfriend, that if he should end up going to jail that night, would he please tell his wife what had happened and that he loves her and his 5 kids. We thought this was crazy since he just met him. I had seen Robert in the bar all night playing pool with Crystal at the back table. I had 2 verbal encounters with Robert that night, the first when him and Joe encountered in front of my table that I was breaking. I yelled to them "Don't even think about messing my game up!" and they parted without incident. About an hour later I saw Robert standing at the bar when I was getting change, I couldn't help but notice the Big Ass Handle of a Knife stuck in his pants on his backside. I said "Damn that's a big ass knife you got there!" And he acknowledge me with, "Ya, I know". Other than that I saw no reason to talk to this Whitesican Gang member as his tattoos revealed. (he wasn't shy about it) When I saw Johnny Lozano talking to Robert (in his face sorta) out in the front of Michelles, Joe walked by me as he stared at Johnny and Robert talking, I said to him; looks like Johnny is your guardian Angel! He was too buzzed and or pissed to even respond if he even heard me talk. |
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| Oct 20, 2005 Jury Finds Morgan Guilty 1st Degree Murder with Lying in Wait enhancement! Dec 2, 2005 he was sentenced, to Life in Prison without possibilty of Parole! |
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