My son lost a dear friend, Connor Bundock, to a horrific crime. Manuel Anthony Rivera, the man accused of this tragedy, was put on trial in the case of People vs. Manuel Anthony Rivera. The verdict in this case has struck a heartbreaking chord with us. We believe justice has not been properly served, which is why we're asking for a reevaluation of the verdict.

On April 2, 2022 between 8:00-8:30 p.m., Rivera and his friend approached Connor and his two friends in a park in Northwest Santa Rosa, CA. He asked them if they "banged" and they answered no. He pulled out a loaded gun and pointed it at Connor's friend. He asked for that friend's phone and he refused. When Connor saw the loaded gun, he began fighting Rivera. Rivera shot Connor in the chest. Connor crawled towards his other friend and died in his arms. Rivera and his friend ran, only to have Rivera return, roll Connor over and take his phone. 

Rivera was initially charged with murder, intentional discharge of a firearm, discharging a firearm causing death, assault with a firearm, attempted robbery, personal use of a firearm, intentional personal discharge of a firearm, discharging firearm while committing a felony. These charges were reduced to two counts of attempted robbery and voluntary manslaughter. Rivera received 12.4 years for murdering Connor, disgracing him by rolling his deceased body over, taking his phone and ruining innumerable lives. 

The evidence shows that Rivera's phone pinged to the park at the same time as Connor's murder. Rivera's DNA was on Connor. During an interview with the detective after his arrest, Rivera admitted to being at the park at that time. When questioned by the detective how his DNA got on Connor, Rivera asked for an attorney.

Nearly two years had passed before Rivera's arrest. In that two years, Rivera committed another felony of a stolen credit card and forged signature. His sentence for that will be served concurrently with Connor's murder, meaning he received 12.4 years for both felonies. He had three shoplifting charges in 2023. Those were dismissed. 

Families around the United States grapple with the pain of losing loved ones due to violent crime. Yet, many also struggle to come to terms with verdicts that don't seem to align with the gravity of their loss. In the case of Connor, we do not contest the arrest nor the conviction, but the nature of the sentencing. We firmly believe that the penalty does not match the severity of the crime committed by Rivera. The call for a reevaluation does not stem from vindictiveness, but from a desire for fairness and deliverance of due justice. Connor was only 19. Rivera could be out in 10 years because he is only required to serve 80% of his sentence. 

We implore the judge in Connor's case to revisit it, reflecting on the irreplaceable loss of life and the ripple effect of grief it has caused. Given the circumstances and looking closely at the impact of this crime, we beseech those in power to consider a reevaluation of the verdict in the case of People vs. Manuel Anthony Rivera, Case Number 24CR00355. Please sign this petition in solidarity. Connor died a hero and now we strive for a justice system that truly upholds justice.