Full Breakdown
Murder of Todd Stewart Fuels New Debate Over California Sanctuary Policies
8/14/2026, 4:54:30 AM
The Fatal Stabbing and Immediate Aftermath
A 68-year-old Martinez resident, Todd Stewart, was fatally stabbed on his front lawn last week. Surveillance video captured the attack by 36-year-old Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who also holds Spanish citizenship. Police arrested Iriarte-Valdez at his home and set bail at $1.1 million while detectives continue to investigate any possible connection between the two men.
Judicial Release and Sanctuary Context
Iriarte-Valdez had been released from custody by Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Nichelle Holmes a day before the killing. Holmes, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2024, granted pre-trial release for a residential-burglary case after Iriarte-Valdez allegedly violated the terms of his home-detention monitoring. The judge has described her approach to justice as a form of protest against perceived systemic inequities.
Official Statements & Responses
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement urging Newsom not to release the suspect, characterizing the incident as occurring in “sanctuary California” and calling for the murderer to be turned over to federal authorities. Martinez police confirmed the suspect’s extensive criminal record, which includes prior arrests for DUI, hit-and-run, burglary, and a protective-order violation.
Criticism & Opposition
Tom Homan, the White House’s designated “border czar,” blamed the murder on California’s sanctuary policies and Governor Newsom’s appointments. Homan also asserted that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had already located Iriarte-Valdez and issued a detainer, but that state officials released him despite the request.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s just politics, a sanctuary jurisdiction. Over a decade, I can think of the hundreds of cases like this that happened. It’s just one case after another after another,” — Tom Homan
- “This person’s dead because Governor Newsom and the state of California puts politics — hatred of President Trump — over public safety,” — Tom Homan
- “We did our job. We located this person in their facility. We did an investigation, found out he is an illegal in the United States, has a criminal history, he is deportable, so we issued a detainer, asking them to notify us before they release him,” — Tom Homan
- “Coming to work every day and ensuring that justice is served is my way of protesting,” — Nichelle Holmes, superior court judge
