Man convicted in death of Denver officer (illegal extradited from Mexico faces an 80-year sentence)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 9/15/06 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

DENVER - An illegal immigrant from Mexico who fled to his home country after killing a police officer and wounding another was convicted Friday of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

Raul Gomez-Garcia, 21, was convicted in the May 2005 death of Detective Donald Young and the shooting of Detective John Bishop. Both officers were working off-duty as security for a party.

Gomez-Garcia faces a sentence of up to 80 years, Police Chief Gerry Whitman said.

Gomez-Garcia testified that he didn't intend to kill the officers. He said he fired after Young grabbed him by the neck and arm to stop him from re-entering an invitation-only baptismal party.

Prosecutors said Gomez-Garcia ambushed and blindsided the officers. Bishop was wearing a bulletproof vest, but Young was not.

Gomez-Garcia was arrested in Mexico about a month after the slaying.

Mexico does not return suspects to the United States if they face the death penalty, but prosecutors agreed to not file a first-degree murder charge that could have led to a death sentence.

Young's widow, Kelly, said the healing could now begin.

"It's been very difficult to just start the healing process with all of this hanging over our head," she said.

Bishop said he was pleased Gomez-Garcia faces a lengthy sentence. He said, "That's all that matters to me."

[NormsRevenge]

Defendant Raul Gomez-Garcia, left, listens to a court translator as he watches District Attorney Bruce Levin, right, during the last day of testimony in his trial in Denver, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2006. Gomez-Garcia, an illegal immigrant, faces charges of second-degree murder, attempted first-degree mnd assault in the May 2005 death of Detective Donald Young and wounding of his partner, Detective John 'Jack' Bishop. (AP Photo/David M. Barreda, Pool)

[kinoxi]

So I've got this roll of rusty wire...

[CAWats]

I'm not happy.

[OldFriend]

Imagine a police officer having to wear a bullet proof vest while providing security for a Christening.

Thank you Denver, for making your city a sanctuary city for illegals.

[Razz Barry]

Mexico does not return suspects to the United States if they face the death penalty, but prosecutors agreed to not file a first-degree murder charge that could have led to a death sentence.

Will they treat an American the same? I'll bet not. Once again an illegal invader is treated better than an American.

[sheana]

My husband recently retuired from the Fire Department. He worked in a town that is 87% hispanic. They were issued bullet proof vests many years ago.
People used to ask him where he worked.....he would say, "in ______, where murder is still a misdemeanor."

[sheana]

oops that number should have been 97%

[OldFriend]

And for some reason some in our society accept the murder rate as a way of life. Coddling criminals as a way of life, and dedicate their entire life to figuring out 'root causes' instead of rooting out and punishing criminals.