Posted on 02/10/2005 10:06:35 AM PST by Taylor814
SAN FRANCISCO — The man infamous for setting his son on fire in a Buena Park motel room 22 years ago was convicted Tuesday of weapons charges and could face imprisonment for life.
Charles Rothenberg, who has legally changed his name to Charley Charles, had admitted possessing a loaded .38-caliber revolver and dozens of rounds of ammunition, which are felonies for such a convicted offender.
Taking the stand in his own defense, Rothenberg, 64, claimed a rare "necessity defense," saying that a constant threat of vigilante violence accompanied his pariah status and that he had no viable legal method of protecting himself.
But after deliberating a day, a Superior Court jury issued two guilty verdicts: for being a felon in possession of a handgun and in possession of ammunition.
Dist. Atty. Kamala Harris is seeking a sentence of 25 years to life under the state's three-strikes law — a course of action unusual in liberal San Francisco for a nonviolent third offense. But Rothenberg's extensive criminal record warrants it, she said.
"He is one of the worst people we've seen in the criminal justice system as far as his track record … and propensity for crime and violent crime" are concerned, Harris said earlier.
Rothenberg "is the poster boy for the three-strikes law," Chief Assistant Dist. Atty. Russ Giuntini said after the court session. "He committed horrendous offenses in the past and got off with minimal punishment. He has continued to offend over the years and has been fortunate to escape justice."
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Oh darn, he feels picked on. I hope he rots in prison.
"could face imprisonment for life"
Why isn't he doing life?
And does anyone know what became of the rat that raped the girl and cut off her arms some years back?
In twenty or thirty years, I'd think prison will be the least of his worries.
Tell you what. I think all the "vigilantes" who are picking on him would leave him alone forevermore if he'd agree to have done to himself what he did to his little boy.
I'd happily light the first match but expect there'd be quite a queue for that privilege.
He served his time and was released. He moved to Florida where he killed a prostitute and was returned to prison. I believe he died of cancer while in a Florida prison.
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