His death occurred amid a statewide decline in homicide rates through the 1990s, but the case underscores that violent deaths continued to affect smaller communities such as Corning.

The broader context at the time showed most homicide victims knew their assailants and that firearms accounted for more homicide deaths than all other weapon types combined. Hispanics were disproportionately represented among homicide victims in California in 1998.

If anyone remembers Roberto Pule, his whereabouts before August 30, 1998, or has information about what happened in Corning that day, please come forward.