WALNUT CREEK — A 19-year-old man was sentenced as a juvenile for murdering an Oakley teen when he was 16, maxing out his attainable confinement to his twenty fifth birthday, courtroom data not too long ago revealed.
Jose Campos pleaded no contest to second-degree homicide within the dying of 17-year-old Aliciabelen “A.B.” Vela, who died after a deadly taking pictures in Antioch on Nov. 5, 2019. Vela’s boyfriend was additionally wounded by gunfire however survived the taking pictures.
Campos and his co-defendant have been arrested inside days of the taking pictures however each have been charged as juveniles, the place public entry to courts are restricted and prosecutors say they’re barred from revealing particulars of hearings. However a not too long ago filed appellate courtroom resolution has make clear the end result of Campos’ case.
Police on the time referred to as Vela’s killing the end result both a setup or a disagreement throughout a minor marijuana deal. Vela’s boyfriend allegedly organized to purchase a single joint of marijuana from Campos’ co-defendant, Julian “JuJu” Martinez, who was additionally 16 on the time. In the course of the deal, Campos allegedly opened hearth, killing Vela and wounding her 17-year-old boyfriend, police stated.
Each Campos and Martinez and a number of other members of their respective households have been related to the Norteño gang, in response to the appellate courtroom resolution. In the course of the investigation, police searched property belonging to Campos’ household and seized 15 weapons and $120,000 in money, courtroom paperwork say.
The appeals courtroom resolution didn’t tackle Campos’ sentence however reaffirmed a restitution order for the victims’ households.
The household of Vela’s boyfriend opposed the sentence, in response to courtroom data. His mom spoke out in courtroom, saying her son was severely traumatized and that she wished the case had been prosecuted in grownup courtroom, the place prison penalties are a lot stiffer.
Underneath state legislation, 16-year-olds could be tried as adults however it requires a decide’s approval and state lawmakers appear to be urging prosecutors to go in a unique course; a state legislation handed in 2019 outright forbids anybody youthful than 16 from being tried as an grownup.
Particulars of the end result of Martinez’s case weren’t instantly obtainable, however minors sentenced in juvenile courtroom can’t be incarcerated past their twenty fifth birthday.
