Thread: Hey Moms-Be sure to wear your kid's gang colors to court

Watsonville gang member sentenced to life for 2004 robbery-murder in Santa Cruz
By JENNIFER SQUIRES - Sentinel Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/20/2008 07:43:03 PM PDT


Anthony Gonzales, 26, was given a sentence of 92 years to life for killing a Salvadoran immigrant during the July 24 robbery on Spruce Street. Gonzales shot Rodolfo Escobar, 29, in the head with a shotgun over $20.

"You have, for all practical purposes, thrown away your life," said Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Robert Atack, who handed down the sentence Thursday afternoon.

A jury in February convicted Gonzales of nine crimes, including first-degree murder and allegations the crimes were committed on behalf of a gang. He will never be eligible for parole because the killing was gang-motivated.

Prosecutor Ariadne Symons asked the judge to mete out the maximum sentence, a request she called "rare" but said was necessary.

"In this case, he committed the ultimate crime: He has taken the life of another human being. It was a deliberate choice," Symons said. "We need to say 'This gang activity is not going to be tolerated and should be stopped.'"

Gonzales always claimed he did not pull the trigger, though he didn't contest that he took part in the robbery and belonged to a Watsonville street gang.

His alleged accomplices in the Escobar murder - Juan Soto and Francisco Valenciano also of Watsonville - are being held in County Jail awaiting an October trial. They have pleaded not
guilty to charges of first-degree murder, robbery and allegations the crimes were committed to benefit their gang.

The trio was accused of robbing a group of men who were playing poker in an apartment complex driveway. Several of the poker players attended Thursday's sentencing.

"I'm very sad," said Francisco Ayala, a poker player who testified during Gonzales's four-week trial. "Rodolfo was like a brother to me and I've been waiting for this day, hoping he would get what's coming

But Gonzales's mother, who believes he did not kill Escobar, begged Atack to give her son a lesser sentence.

"He's a good person. He has a good heart," said Toni Gonzales, who along with other family members was dressed in red, the color of her son's gang. "Please be lenient to him because he's not a murderer."

Gonzales sat in the jury box next to his attorney, Steve Wright, during the sentencing hearing but declined to give a statement and showed little emotion. Several of his gang tattoos, including one around the base of his neck, were visible.

"His future is bleak," Wright said in court. "If it weren't for his gang involvement, he could have been a productive, contributing member of society, because his mom's right. He does have a good heart."

Contact Jennifer Squires at 429-2449 or jsquires@santacruzsentinel.com.

Yep, them old family values again.

Oh, and what a mom! She wears his gang colors to court and cries for leniency. Why wasn't she being a parent and keeping him OUT of a gang instead? Reap what you sow!

Coming to a city near you.A look at future America.Thanks Bush.

"He's a good person. He has a good heart," said Toni Gonzales, who along with other family members was dressed in red, the color of her son's gang. "Please be lenient to him because he's not a murderer."

They're ALL such GOOD people....that is of course unless they don't like you......and yes my dear.....he is a MURDERER....he's not going to prison for his kind heart and good deeds.

Wearing gang colors to court. Now that's a great way to get your son a lesser sentence.

He's a good person. He has a good heart," said Toni Gonzales, who along with other family members was dressed in red, the color of her son's gang. "Please be lenient to him because he's not a murderer."

Just wondering, did she require a Spanish Translator to deliver her plea of leniency to the court?

I propose that everytime a gang banger is arrested, an investigation is conducted into the parents as well. If the parents are found to be here illegally, they should be deported.

I'm sick and tired of the uncontrolled breeding habits of these illegals in which their anchor babies turn out to be gang bangers while the parents ignore or actually encourage the gang membership.

We know the gang bangers could careless about a human life, but perhaps they will have a different perspective if they realize their parents may also face severe consequences for their gang participation.

Originally Posted by alleycat

Watsonville gang member sentenced to life for 2004 robbery-murder in Santa Cruz
By JENNIFER SQUIRES - Sentinel Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/20/2008 07:43:03 PM PDT




"He's a good person. He has a good heart," said Toni Gonzales, who along with other family members was dressed in red, the color of her son's gang. "Please be lenient to him because he's not a murderer."

I see this type of denial/lies every day in parents of gang Hispanic members. The kids brag about being in gangs, come to school high all the time and are openly involved in every illegal and violent activity you can imagine. They do nothing in school except disrupt and let you know how they don't need school. When parents are notified, mostly through a translator, they always say the same thing...he is a good kid and has a good heart, he would never be in a gang. In the mean time the parents are wearing gang oriented clothing. One of them even drops her kid off each day with the words "F### all ya'll haters" on the back window of her SUV. It's little wonder the kids come out like they are.

This creep is being put BEHIND BARS for LIFE because HE is a GOOD-for-NOTHING MURDERER!

Originally Posted by bigtex

Originally Posted by alleycat

Watsonville gang member sentenced to life for 2004 robbery-murder in Santa Cruz
By JENNIFER SQUIRES - Sentinel Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/20/2008 07:43:03 PM PDT




"He's a good person. He has a good heart," said Toni Gonzales, who along with other family members was dressed in red, the color of her son's gang. "Please be lenient to him because he's not a murderer."

I see this type of denial/lies every day in parents of gang Hispanic members. The kids brag about being in gangs, come to school high all the time and are openly involved in every illegal and violent activity you can imagine. They do nothing in school except disrupt and let you know how they don't need school. When parents are notified, mostly through a translator, they always say the same thing...he is a good kid and has a good heart, he would never be in a gang. In the mean time the parents are wearing gang oriented clothing. One of them even drops her kid off each day with the words "F### all ya'll haters" on the back window of her SUV. It's little wonder the kids come out like they are.

Maybe get her plate number and call the police-----say that she was weaving, you think that she is drunk. Who knows what they might find in her vehicle----such as drugs, weapons, etc.

Great mother. Bet she bakes cookies, in the shape of little handguns!!

I can only say, they might be encouraging gang involvement as they can financially benefit if the kids can make $$$ while doing some illegal activities.