Thread: OK: Illegal immigrant gets prison term for Tulsa homicide

Illegal immigrant gets prison term for Tulsa homicide

Juan Carlos Perez

By BILL BRAUN World Staff Writer
Published: 12/1/2009 8:15 PM
Last Modified: 12/1/2009 8:16 PM

A man received a 15-year prison sentence Tuesday for fatally shooting the boyfriend of the defendant’s former girlfriend in Tulsa.

Juan Carlos Perez pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree manslaughter, which was reduced from first-degree murder in accordance with a plea agreement.

Perez shot Omar Antonio Garcia in the head on Feb. 7, police reported.

Prior to the shooting, Perez and Garcia argued at a mobile home in the 800 block of North 91st East Place.

Police found Garcia, 23, on the front porch. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Defense attorney David Phillips said Perez went to the residence to see an infant daughter he shared with a woman who lived there. Garcia, the woman’s new boyfriend, subsequently showed up, and a confrontation resulted.

Garcia, who had no gun, made aggressive movements toward Perez prior to the shooting, Phillips asserted.

The 15-year term imposed by Tulsa County District Judge Tom Gillert requires Perez to serve 85 percent of his sentence — almost 13 years — before being eligible for parole or release.

Perez, who records indicate is either 18 or 19, gets credit on his sentence for the almost 10 months he has spent in jail since his Feb. 7 arrest.

Records indicate that Perez is a former resident of Mexico who has also been held in the Tulsa Jail for immigration officials. Phillips indicated that Perez will be required to serve his prison term before being subject to deportation for not being a legal resident of the United States.

www.tulsaworld.com

13 years for first-degree murder?! Wow ... how many US citizens get to plea bargain a life sentence/or the death penalty for first-degree murder down to 13 years and manslaughter with a ballistics report and an eye witness?

Holy Moly. Talk about special rights for special people. Wonder if he's running drugs for some VIP's in Tulsa who know the DA?