BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Rafael Estrada, 44, made his first court appearance Monday in connection with the brutal killing of his estranged wife last month in east Bakersfield.
Estrada pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder, four counts of willful cruelty to a child, spousal abuse, injury to a dependent adult, reckless evasion of law enforcement, driving against traffic, and resisting arrest.
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His arraignment had been postponed several times since his initial court date. The court did not provide a reason for the delays.
Court Commissioner Samantha Allen ordered Estrada to remain in custody without bail. His next hearing is set for June 20.
The charges stem from a violent incident on the night of May 28. Around 8:30 p.m., Kern County deputies responded to a call about a domestic assault at a home in the 2400 block of Monterey Street.
There, they found 32-year-old Taylor Danay Dominguez Estrada with severe injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family members told 17 News that Rafael Estrada arrived uninvited to a family gathering and attacked his wife, slitting her throat in front of at least one child.
Sheriff’s officials said Estrada fled the scene in a white pickup truck. A sheriff’s helicopter spotted the vehicle, prompting a chase that ended roughly 10 miles away on Ramos Avenue. A K-9 unit helped deputies take him into custody.
Estrada now faces a slate of serious charges as prosecutors prepare their case.
