Family, friends gather in Modesto to remember loved ones

MODESTO -- Friends and family hung ornaments on a tree outside the Stanislaus County Courthouse on Tuesday evening in remembrance of those who’ve lost their lives to crime.

Relatives of Jimmy Espinoza Jr., killed in September, gathered with others attending the 15th annual lighting of the Homicide Victims’ Memorial Tree and candlelight vigil.

The tree was adorned with new lights this year, thanks to the Morris family.

Pastors Sabino Franco and Brock Hoyer of Modesto Free Methodist Church sang “O Holy Night.”