Santa Clara's youngest murderer sentenced to 36 years to lif

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http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/02/23/news/state/16_48_552_22_07.txt

Thursday, February 22, 2007
Last modified Thursday, February 22, 2007 8:05 PM PST

Santa Clara's youngest murderer sentenced to 36 years to life

By: Associated Press -

SAN JOSE -- The youngest person to face an adult murder charge in Santa Clara County was sentenced Thursday to 36 years to life in prison.

James Ortega, now 17, was convicted on two counts of murder for shooting two teenagers in a rival gang at a fast food restaurant on Jan. 3, 2004, just 12 days after his 14th birthday.

A second suspect, Malik Alayube, was sentenced to 20 years to life.

Ortega and Alayube pleaded guilty in November to gunning down Diego Gutierrez and Miguel Romero, both 17. A third teenager, Conrad Salas, also was shot but survived.

Authorities said Ortega became angry after being hit in the nose with a chair and reached for a .22-caliber pistol Alayube had given to him that morning and opened fire.

Ortega and Alayube were allegedly members of the Nortenos, a Northern California gang affiliated with the larger Nuestra Familia gang. The victims were believed to be Surenos, a gang with roots in Southern California.

Prosecutor Stuart Scott said the sentencing should send a message to other kids contemplating gang life.

"It's a cautionary tale," Scott said. "No matter what their ages, they're going to be treated harshly."
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