Posted on 01/13/2009 8:00:04 AM PST by BoneHead
VISTA ---- An 18-year-old gang member who took part in a fatal sniper attack on Oceanside police Officer Dan Bessant will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole, a judge ruled Monday.
As he listened to the judge lay out his fate, Penifoti "P.J." Taeotui showed no visible reaction.
(Excerpt) Read more at nctimes.com ...
His statement is remarkable:
Neither did the slain officer's father, Steve Bessant, who moments before had invoked his Christian faith and forgave Taeotui, encouraging the young man with a troubled and unstable upbringing to ask God's forgiveness.
Bessant, however, asked Superior Court Judge Runston Maino to send Taeotui to prison for life without parole, the maximum sentence permissible, given that Taeotui was 16 at the time of the shooting.
"Please do not confuse my forgiveness with weakness," Bessant said in a crowded courtroom, directing his words to Taeotui. "While I wish the best for you, I do not trust you, and my hope is that you will be separated from the innocent and honest for the rest of your life. I am aware of no evidence of a desire for change, to leave the gang lifestyle behind, or of remorse for killing my son."
Still praying for the Bessants.
Bonehead
Illegal alien or something? NC is becoming like NJ thanks to libs and libs moving to NC.
Well those Mayberry losers Andy & Opie voted for Obama.
Except of course this is a California case. The Supreme Court is now looking at whether life really means life and whether parole can be denied because of “the heinous” nature of the crime. The land of fruits, flakes, and nuts we truly are.
That will put the cop haters into mourning.
Original Incident:
Oceanside, CA PD officer shot
Teen arraigned in Oside Officers slaying
Teen suspect to be charged in Oceanside officer's slaying; 16-year-old to face charges as an adult
Third suspect arrested in officer's slaying
Oceanside police arrest second teen suspect in officer shooting
This from November 2008:
OCEANSIDE: Teenager convicted of murder in cop-killing
End of one trial. The First participant down, the shooter to go. His trial starts in early February.
Regards
Bonehead
“Well those Mayberry losers Andy & Opie voted for Obama.”
Why badmouth Andy & Opie? They have more sense than any Obama voters.
“It’s unfair,” said Mike Dempster, who coached Taeotui in youth football. “It’s sad about the victim, but he deserves a chance. He’s not a bad kid.”....
And just what defines “bad” to this idiot?....
You must not have seen the YouTube commercial for Obama by Andy and Opie ...
“It’s unfair,” said Mike Dempster, who coached Taeotui in youth football. “It’s sad about the victim, but he deserves a chance. He’s not a bad kid.”....”””
Mike Dempster: The most heinous of the criminals the world has EVER produced also are the most able to mold their behavior and actions to those around them....
In a word, sir, you were scammed by this killer.
No, I’m in the dark. I’m one of the few people who have only looked at YouTube a couple of times.
Thanks very much for the ping, BoneHead. A death sentence at the time of the shooting would have been ideal.
Condolences to Steve Bessant and the remainder of Dan Bessant's family and friends.
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