Posted on 03/10/2005 9:03:54 PM PST by NormsRevenge
POMONA, Calif. (AP) - A 16-year-old boy who admitted shooting to death a California Highway Patrol officer outside a courthouse to impress a street gang was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Valentino Mitchell Arenas pleaded guilty in December to first-degree murder for killing Officer Thomas Steiner, 35, outside the Pomona courthouse on April 21, 2004.
Pomona Superior Court Judge Philip Gutierrez issued the maximum sentence. Arenas was not eligible for the death penalty because of his age.
During the sentencing hearing, Steiner's wife, Heidi, called Arenas a "cold-blooded" killer.
"This was the ultimate hate crime - the assassination of a police officer," she said. "I miss my Tom. I miss my best friend," she said, trembling with emotion.
Arenas looked down while she spoke, and apologized to Steiner's family before he was sentenced.
"If I was in my right mind, this wouldn't have happened. ... I'm sorry," he said. "I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me," he said.
Arenas in December also pleaded guilty to the special circumstance allegations of killing a police officer, lying in wait, committing a murder during a drive-by shooting and conceded that the killing was connected to street gang activity, Deputy District Attorney Linda Loftfield said.
Steiner, of Long Beach, was attacked after leaving the courthouse, where he had testified in five traffic citation cases. The five-year veteran of the CHP had a 3-year-old son when he was killed and a teenage stepson.
About two dozen CHP officers attended the sentencing hearing with a black stripe over their badges.
Thanks, SCOTUS and you international legal thugs in robes.
Hmm. LEGAL or ILLEGAL status?
Nice name, but Bubba don't care. VMA better find out how to grab his ankles if he wants to live.
Don't let SCOTUS hear about this. They will rule that it is cruel and unusual to sentence a minor to life in prison. Before you know it, they will rule that it is cruel and unusual punishment to send a minor to prison.
The way we're going it's going to be cruel and unusual to put anybody away. Psychological treatment, and a government paid job will be the new "punishment" for the scum.
Psychological treatment, and a government paid job will be the new "punishment" for the scum.
Just think, as our luggage is getting screened the screener can liven up the conversation with crime stories.
I would have had him executed, no problemo.
"Mah, ain't you got a purty mouf, SQUEAL"
(cue the dueling banjos)
Bullshit. He's sorry he was caught.
Yes, now he can sing that tune. But did his mother even try?
If somebody gets "life", how long is that? Ten to 20 years?
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