Maximum Penalty Merited, Judge Says

San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | 8/26/2006 | Jose Luis Jiménez

[CAWats]

The violence ended in a Vista motel room after Lopez snapped two vertebrae in her neck, leaving the woman a quadriplegic. After initially refusing to get help for her, Lopez summoned the motel's clerk, who called an ambulance.

Pressman said he took note of the callous and brutal nature of the attacks in imposing the lengthy prison sentence. Defense attorney Mary Ellen Attridge, who said her client was high on methamphetamine at the time of the crime, asked Pressman to impose one life sentence.

“There is only one life to give to the penal system,” Attridge said.

[CAWats]

Odilon Camarillo "Tito" Lopez shown wearing earphones in court, an indication he speaks no english.

[PzLdr]

"There is only one life to give to the penal system"...

But first, a little chi chi.

[kinoxi]

Life imprisonment without pain is too good for this vermin.

[free_at_jsl.com]

The headline is misleading. This slime-ball was sentenced to TWO life sentences. BTW, the victim is likely an illegal alien.

[Nathan Zachary]

All drugs shold be legal, some say. They say the "war on drugs" is a waste of money. So do those who argue that this animal should not have such a harsh sentence.
I argue that this animal should not be allowed to live out a life sentence, and that anyone who sells these drugs should face a death penalty as well.

[Michael Goldsberry]

He got two life sentences. Good.

Queme en Infierno, Tito.

[kinoxi]

He was sentenced to two as an assurance that he will never be released. I detest illegals as a general rule, but this woman did not deserve this.

[eleni121]

He should have been given the death penalty. His actions are indicative of a dangerous beast. I suppose the judge did not have this discretion as no murder was committed.

If the woman really loves her kids she should let them be adopted out. That is if they were born here. If she is not a citizen, she should be removed to Mexico with her family who can take care of her.

[kinoxi]

Do You think marijuana should be illegal?

[Old Professer]

One life sentence is enough to indict the truly guilty, two life sentences is enough to indict the judicial system.

[Nathan Zachary]

"I detest illegals as a general rule, but this woman did not deserve this."

Nobody deserves to be a victim of illegal drugs, and all those who use drugs and commit crimes as a result, as well as those who deal these drugs should face the same harsh penalty. The main reason the "war on drugs" isn't effective is because the penal system doesn't reward that behavior appropriately.

You have freedom of choice in this country, but the moment you choose to indulge in illegal drugs, either taking or selling/manufacturing them, is the moment you are no longer a victim, but an accomplice as well. We have to work harder to prevent our children from becoming a victim and accomplice of the illegal drug trade. We need to enforce harsh penalties for all drug related crimes, not use drugs use as an excuse for a reduced sentence.

[kinoxi]

Someone smoking a cigarette bought out of a state is 'indulging in an illegal drug' because the state tax was not paid. Do you think marijuana should be illegal? What about more destructive drugs such as alcohol?

[Nathan Zachary]

"Do You think marijuana should be illegal?"

Absolutely. It destroys minds and lives like any other drug. Pot users do not agree of course. But they don't see how they are affected by it.

[kinoxi]

You need to get out more. I don't use it. I was just curious.

[arthurus]

He should have a very short life sentence. Life in prision until 23 September. Then he can be released in a box or they can keep him in the yard if there is no one to pick him up.

[Nathan Zachary]

Alcohol abuse is also a serious problem. people do not need to drink alcohol to the point where they become intoxicated.
That's what is known as alcohol abuse, and it's a well discussed problem of society, with laws preventing intoxicated people from driving vehicles, and being in positions of authority while in that state.

Show me where people smoke dope without the desire to become stoned, inebriated, under the influence of it. You can't. The only reason one would smoke dope is to become stoned, diminished capacity, an altered state.

You CAN however, have a glass of wine with a meal, enjoy a cold beer, or have a drink after dinner without becoming stoned, and loosing abilities of perception.

[mtbopfuyn]

Illegals, clogging up our courts and prisons.

[kinoxi]

I know people who function well as occasional users of marijuana. Once again I don't use it.
To even imply that most people don't become intoxicated when drinking is a bit bewildering when contrasted with reality. Your deceptive world view is sad. You need to get out more.

[Nathan Zachary]

Why do I need to "get out more" for answering your questions? I get out too much actually, and see how drugs destroy lives every day. Perhaps I should stay in more and ignore it, like you are suggesting. I've seen employee's completely destroy their lives, their marriages, their children, despite all the help my company offers an employee in trouble. They choose to row down the river of denial instead of admitting their problems and fighting back upstream.
The first step is hard to take for some, and that step is admitting that they have a problem.
Do you see the results of a disturbing survey about pot use amoung high school age kids? 2 out of 10 say they have an addiction problem to POT. 8 out of 10 say they use pot regularly, but can take it or leave it.

Doen't that concern you?