Gang Member Gets Life in Murder of L.A. Sheriff’s Deputy
KTLA News | October 24, 2012
LOS ANGELES — A gang member pleaded guilty to murder Tuesday in the fatal shooting of an L.A. County sheriff’s deputy in 2008 and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Carlos Velasquez, 28, pleaded guilty to murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the Aug. 2, 2008, slaying of Deputy Juan Abel Escalante.
Escalante was gunned down in from of his parents home in Cypress Park as he prepared to head to work at the Men’s Central Jail.
He was shot in the back of the head as he reached into his car to adjust a child?s car seat.
Velasquez was originally charged with capital murder and could have faced the death penalty.
Deputy Dist. Attys. Phillip Stirling and John Colello say Velasquez wrongly believed he was killing a gang rival and shot the deputy numerous times.
Read more at: http://www.ktla.com/ktla-suspects-in-deputy-murder-plea-146372,0,2036375.story
Photo credit: lasdhq.org
Tags: Carlos Velasquez, Cypress Park, Deputy Juan Abel Escalante, Men's Central Jail
Posted by Lora
on Oct 24 2012. Filed under News.
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