RSSYakima man gets 7 years for slaying 15-year-old boy
Yakima Herald-Republic
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A Yakima man was sentenced Monday to more than seven years in prison for the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy in 2005.
David Infante, 23, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of Mario Rosales. Yakima County Superior Court Judge Michael Schwab sentenced him to seven years and two months.
Rosales' mother, grandmother and sister all told the court how much Rosales' absence had hurt them.
"Be a man and take responsibility," Rosales' sister, Hope, said, chastising Infante for not showing any emotion during the hearing. "You were man enough take him from us."
Infante's relatives apologized to Rosales' family for their loss. They described Infante as a good person and told the judge they expected him to be fair in his ruling.
While Infante's grandmother was speaking, Rosales' mother, Tammy, rose from her bench to exclaim that the defendant's family would still get to see their son while her child was dead. Schwab noted the tensions created by the tragedy before continuing the hearing.
Infante addressed the court only briefly before Schwab agreed with the 86-month sentence negotiated by the attorneys.
"I just want to say I'm sorry for what happened and apologize to the family. That's it," Infante said.
Infante would have faced more than 15 years behind bars if convicted of the original second-degree murder charge.
Rosales was shot at an intersection near the Southeast Yakima Community Center on Dec. 31, 2005. His killing capped a bloody year of 24 homicides in Yakima County -- the most since 1987.
Police said that Rosales and Infante -- who had ties to rival gangs -- happened across each other. After an exchange of words, Infante shot Rosales in the chest. He died at the scene.
Rosales and a group of friends and relatives were returning from an evening trip to Wal-Mart when their truck sputtered to a stop, apparently after running out of gas. Police said the group had tried to steal merchandise from Wal-Mart, although Rosales' mother contended he was not part of that.
The violent encounter happened as the group was trying to figure out what to do about the disabled vehicle.
Deputy prosecutor Tamara Hanlon and defense attorney Greg Scott of Yakima worked out the manslaughter plea in order to resolve the long-running case.
Prosecutors had to dismiss the original second-degree murder case, then refile it, because of problems with key witnesses.
More than a dozen corrections officers and Yakima police gang officers were on hand because of concerns that conflicts could erupt between the two families.
Rosales' relatives, most of whom have moved out of the area, said that they had been harassed and threatened inside the courtroom and outside the jail during a previous hearing.
* Mark Morey can be reached at 577-7671 or mmorey@yakimaherald.com.
I don't understand why we continue to give any of these people consideration for their problems as "victims" when they won't help in the prosecution of their rivals. I say, "Why should our police personnel bother about protecting them when they won't help the police make a case. Their actions put all of us in danger and our judges and court system continue to let them off the hook with lesser charges. This will never stop until our community arms itself and chases the gangsters out of the neighborhood in any way we can. Perhaps when a few of them get shot in the process, they will at least be punished for their actions. Meanwhile, our police need to get rid of their "sanctuary" mindset and dump the idea that they will get information from Hispanics in exchange for overlooking documentation problems. If we sent all of them home who have illegal documents, maybe this crime would be reduced to manageable levels.
Report Violation7 years for first degree manslaughter. What the @#$% is this country comming to!
Report ViolationIf it was a cop who was killed he would have been executed. put to death,do not pass go do not collect 200 dollars so what the hell is up with 7 years for first degree murder. so in 7 years (less if he is good) this murderer will be back on the streets.Hell.... if thats all you get for first degree murder hold on,I'll be right back i got a little something to take care of, see you in 7.
Report Violationdont hate on what you fools know nothing about...
Report Violation
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