Jurors deadlocked in deadly confrontation at Hotel Healdsburg

A jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case of a Santa Rosa man charged with assault following a violent 2023 altercation at the Healdsburg Hotel that left another man dead.

Romario Cisneros was facing assault with a deadly weapon charges in the death of Abel Garza, who attacked hotel staff before Cisneros fatally stabbed him.

Eleven jurors voted for an acquittal, one refusal led to a jury verdict. The jury, which received the case Friday afternoon from Judge Laura Passaglia, was dismissed Wednesday.

It was not immediately clear whether the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office will refile charges against Cisneros.

No one disputes that Cisneros killed Garza in front of the Healdsburg Hotel; The arguments in this case instead focused on the question of whether or not his actions were justified.

Another charge of involuntary manslaughter was originally filed against him before prosecutors dismissed the charge shortly before testimony in the Cisneros trial began on Oct. 16.

Sonoma County Assistant District Attorney Robert Waner stressed there was little doubt that Garza was “causing trouble” but felt it was unnecessary for Cisneros to respond the way he did.

Autopsy results revealed Garza was under the influence of alcohol, fentanyl and methamphetamine when he showed up at the hotel twice, each time threatening staff.

During the first confrontation, officials said, Garza head-butted an employee and attempted to hit him and Cisneros with a skateboard. He then left the hotel.

Healdsburg police were notified but said they were unable to locate Garza.

When he returned, he was holding a pole and a hammer and yelling at hotel staff for calling the police, officials said.

Garza hit an employee with the pole before the employees grabbed the pole away from him. They then followed him through an alley opposite the hotel and next to The Wurst restaurant.

Prosecutors argued that several witnesses were present but either kept their distance or used weapons to fend off Garza. A maintenance supervisor brandished a folding knife but put it away before the two began fighting, officials said.

Cisneros then attacked with the rod, piercing Garza's lung and aorta.

Kimi Vehilac, a pathologist who performed Garza's autopsy, testified Oct. 22 that the stake caused severe injuries and damage to the aorta “leads to massive internal bleeding.”

She confirmed that meth, fentanyl and alcohol were found in Garza's body, but none of these contributed to his death.

The prosecution concluded its argument on October 23, and Cisneros took the stand that day to defend himself.

He said his goal that day was to protect his colleagues from Garza, whom he feared. Cisneros said he didn't remember stabbing him and only learned it happened when police showed him surveillance footage.

Police arrested Cisneros on August 8 following an investigation. He was taken to jail but was later released after posting $30,000 bail.

Since then he has not been in custody and regularly attends court hearings.

Garza's family filed a civil lawsuit alleging that the hotel was negligent in his death. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 27.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

Reach Staff Writer Colin Atagi at [email protected]. On Twitter @colin_atagi