Posted on 12/26/2006 3:25:28 PM PST by BoneHead
VISTA ---- A 17-year-old documented gang member from Oceanside was arraigned Tuesday afternoon on charges of murder and attempted murder in the fatal shooting last week of Oceanside police Officer Dan Bessant.
Meki Gaono of Oceanside is accused of killing Bessant to enhance his standing in an east Oceanside gang to which he belongs, prosecutors said.
Bail was set at $5 million for Gaono, whose friends and family members attended the arraignment before Superior Court Judge David Brown.
Several of Bessant's friends and family members were also present in the courtroom.
(Excerpt) Read more at nctimes.com ...
Referencing to original post last Wednesday for background.
An ambush to prove his manhood? Reactivate California's gas chamber and lets see his manhood really tested.
Where were his friends and family when he wanted to join a gang?
Is there a piciure of the perp, or is he still too young?
His family members should be thankful for the Constitutional provision against Bills of Attainder, because his is an obvious case of bad blood. I would have them all hanged, then drawn and quartered before burning. Oh, and I guess that "cruel and unusual" provision is good luck for him, too.
No picture in the Webnews at North county times. Probably due to age. But if they are going to be tried as adults, I imagine that their muggs will be in the paper sooner or later.
And this is the first one of two perpetrators.
"His family members should be thankful for the Constitutional provision against Bills of Attainder, because his is an obvious case of bad blood. I would have them all hanged, then drawn and quartered before burning. Oh, and I guess that "cruel and unusual" provision is good luck for him, too."
I like the way you think.
In March 2005, the Supreme Court discovered by a vote of 5-4 that 17 year old murderers are constitutionally entitled to a natural death of old age.
Yea, Thats what I hear. To bad, too.
What a shame. Bring him to Georgia, 16 and up is eligible for the death penalty here.
Had you used the real title of the article it would have revealed he used a scope.
"Gaono of Oceanside is accused of killing Bessant to *enhance his standing* in an east Oceanside gang to ..."
A premeditated crime..His attorney will be unable to use the "crazy rap"..Gaono killed a son, husband, father, friend and cop to impress others.
"Bail was set at $5 million for Gaono, whose friends [fellow gangbangers ?] and family members [I had no clue my son was a member of gang-sarc.] attended the arraignnment."
That was a US Supreme Court decision, not the California court. 16 and 17 year old murderers are now a protected species in all 50 states.
Don't know what to tell you.
I will however continue to keep track of this story for as long as it takes. Even if its 20 years down the line when Wyatt gets married.
Regards
Bonehead
I heard Steve Bessant, father of Officer Dan Bessant, make a statement for the family after the arraignment that was excellent. The TV news has edited the hell out of it. I hope to link to the video and the text tomorrow after it's up on their sites.
Anyway, I hope you come back to the thread with updates as available. Here is today's article:
Prosecutors: Cops Say Teen Admitted Firing At Officer
(snip) A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office said earlier on Tuesday that a second person in custody in connection with the killing, a 16-year-old, is being held on a probation violation.
Stewart stressed that because both people in custody are minors, neither will be eligible for the death penalty.
There is information in the article re Officer Bessant's funeral, which will include a 10-mile procession tomorrow morning.
Thank you for the ping.
Thank you, BoneHead for keeping close watch on this case.
Since this is a clear case where the perp has proudly admitted being a sniper picking off a police officer, I would hope the trial could move more swiftly than "normal."
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