San Jose Hells Angels leader’s killing: Key witness says he lied

The star witness whose testimony helped convict Ernesto Gonzalez for the 2011 killing of Hells Angels boss Jeffrey "Jethro" Pettigrew has recanted, admitting he lied about the shooting being an assassination plot orchestrated by a rival motorcycle gang. Gonzalez received a life sentence for fatally shooting Pettigrew at a crowded Nevada casino, with the witness—Gary "Jabbers" Rudnick—having testified under a plea deal for leniency.

Following Pettigrew's killing, another Hells Angel, Steve Tausan, was shot dead by colleague Steve Ruiz at Pettigrew's funeral. The dispute reportedly centered on whether Ruiz could have prevented Pettigrew's death during the casino altercation.

Gonzalez maintains his innocence, claiming he fired in self-defense because Pettigrew and another associate were violently beating his partner. Legal experts note the recanted testimony complicates the case, highlighting concerns about witness reliability when testimony is exchanged for reduced sentences.