bossradio93
07-23-2005, 12:45 AM
Samantha Runnion's Killer Sentenced
By JEREMIAH MARQUEZ, Associated Press Writer
Fri Jul 22, 7:22 PM ET
SANTA ANA, Calif. - More than three years after 5-year-old Samantha Runnion was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and murdered, her mother on Friday confronted the man who killed her.
"I know she looked at you with those amazing brown eyes and you still wanted to kill her," Erin Runnion tearily told Alejandro Avila in court, before a judge formally sentenced Avila to death. "And I don't understand it, and I never will.
Avila, a 30-year-old former factory worker convicted in April, did not speak as Superior Court Judge William R. Froeberg endorsed the jury's recommendation to impose the death penalty.
"For the temporary gratification of his lust, the defendant destroyed an entire family's future," the judge said. "He has forfeited his right to live."
Avila, sitting motionless and looking away, did not appear to be moved by Mrs. Runnion's outrage and grief.
Avila's formal sentencing ended a case that stirred an outpouring of anger and sorrow.
More than 4,000 people attended Samantha's funeral and then-Gov. Gray Davis ordered a statewide increase in the number of electronic billboards that flash information about a suspected abduction.
Avila grabbed a kicking and screaming Samantha as she played outside her Stanton home. Her nude body was found the following day in the mountains about 50 miles away, left on the ground as if it had been posed.
Authorities said Avila killed her by pressing on her chest.
Avila was ordered to San Quentin state prison within 10 days. His sentence automatically will be appealed.
Outside court, Avila's lawyer said she would not be surprised if the issue of defense competence was raised on appeal.
"I can't help but think he would have gotten life if I had presented a better case," Assistant Public Defender Denise Gragg said.
Gragg said she had advised Avila not to speak in court.
David Brent, an assistant district attorney who tried the case, said he was satisfied that justice was done, even though "there's no joy that we're sentencing someone to death row."
A friend of Samantha's gave police a description of her kidnapper that produced a police sketch resembling Avila. Prosecutors used cell phone and bank records to show Avila's whereabouts, and DNA evidence later linked him to the crime.
Yahoo! News/AP-July 22, 2005
I heard a tiny excerpt today on KNX-AM (1070) in Los Angeles on Erin's speech to Samantha's killer and it was very moving while I was shopping. Erin said in her speech various things Samantha wanted to do when she grew up. She turned to that sick bastard who snuffed out any possibility. Maybe Erin Runion's speech will appear in tomorrows papers.
I feel very sad for Erin, but definitely never for Samantha's killer! :mad: :mad: :mad:
One thing Ms. Runion said to Avila was that she hopes no one prays for him while locked in prison and on death row.
By JEREMIAH MARQUEZ, Associated Press Writer
Fri Jul 22, 7:22 PM ET
SANTA ANA, Calif. - More than three years after 5-year-old Samantha Runnion was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and murdered, her mother on Friday confronted the man who killed her.
"I know she looked at you with those amazing brown eyes and you still wanted to kill her," Erin Runnion tearily told Alejandro Avila in court, before a judge formally sentenced Avila to death. "And I don't understand it, and I never will.
Avila, a 30-year-old former factory worker convicted in April, did not speak as Superior Court Judge William R. Froeberg endorsed the jury's recommendation to impose the death penalty.
"For the temporary gratification of his lust, the defendant destroyed an entire family's future," the judge said. "He has forfeited his right to live."
Avila, sitting motionless and looking away, did not appear to be moved by Mrs. Runnion's outrage and grief.
Avila's formal sentencing ended a case that stirred an outpouring of anger and sorrow.
More than 4,000 people attended Samantha's funeral and then-Gov. Gray Davis ordered a statewide increase in the number of electronic billboards that flash information about a suspected abduction.
Avila grabbed a kicking and screaming Samantha as she played outside her Stanton home. Her nude body was found the following day in the mountains about 50 miles away, left on the ground as if it had been posed.
Authorities said Avila killed her by pressing on her chest.
Avila was ordered to San Quentin state prison within 10 days. His sentence automatically will be appealed.
Outside court, Avila's lawyer said she would not be surprised if the issue of defense competence was raised on appeal.
"I can't help but think he would have gotten life if I had presented a better case," Assistant Public Defender Denise Gragg said.
Gragg said she had advised Avila not to speak in court.
David Brent, an assistant district attorney who tried the case, said he was satisfied that justice was done, even though "there's no joy that we're sentencing someone to death row."
A friend of Samantha's gave police a description of her kidnapper that produced a police sketch resembling Avila. Prosecutors used cell phone and bank records to show Avila's whereabouts, and DNA evidence later linked him to the crime.
Yahoo! News/AP-July 22, 2005
I heard a tiny excerpt today on KNX-AM (1070) in Los Angeles on Erin's speech to Samantha's killer and it was very moving while I was shopping. Erin said in her speech various things Samantha wanted to do when she grew up. She turned to that sick bastard who snuffed out any possibility. Maybe Erin Runion's speech will appear in tomorrows papers.
I feel very sad for Erin, but definitely never for Samantha's killer! :mad: :mad: :mad:
One thing Ms. Runion said to Avila was that she hopes no one prays for him while locked in prison and on death row.