Samantha Runnion's Killer Sentenced - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

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!

One thing Ms. Runion said to Avila was that she hopes no one prays for him while locked in prison and on death row.

Jrnygrl · 07-23-2005, 01:15 AM

If anyone ever deserved the death penalty it was this loser. It is was so sad to hear Samantha's mother cry because of what this monster did. In cases like this there should be no appeal, automatic death.

I will never forget this little girl.

I feel her mother's pain.

Lee · 07-23-2005, 01:42 AM

He does deserve death, but there should be no joy when someone is sentenced to death. The district
attorney in this case said so himself.

Mr. Television · 07-23-2005, 01:57 AM

I'm glad he got the death penalty. May he rott in hell.

Fleet · 07-23-2005, 02:02 AM

I think he should be hanged by his toenails or earlobes.

Karen* · 07-23-2005, 02:30 AM

I still remember hearing about what happened to her a couple of years ago. I felt horrible and now hearing about this...I can't even imagine what she went through and the pain her loved ones felt. Poor Sam.

EmoJoe · 07-23-2005, 01:05 PM

Poor Sam and Erin

I hope he burns with the devil, he deserves the death penalty.

07-23-2005, 12:45 AM	#1
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	Samantha Runnion's Killer Sentenced 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! One thing Ms. Runion said to Avila was that she hopes no one prays for him while locked in prison and on death row. Attached Images
	__________________ HBO Documentary: Left of the Dial: Grade: B+ "Morals aren't supposed to stop because it's politically inconvenient to continue them." Keith Olbermann - *Countdown with Keith Olbermann* April 22, 2009 (MSNBC) UPCOMING DVD RELEASES June 16, 2009: The Three Stooges Collection: Volume 6 Star Trek coming to KDOC-TV Monday May 4 @ 9:00pm Farewell KNX/CBS Columbia Square (April 30, 1938-August 12, 2005). Thanks for 67 great years of information and entertainment. My DVD Collection Last edited by bossradio93; 07-23-2005 at 02:48 AM.

07-23-2005, 01:42 AM	#3
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,766	He does deserve death, but there should be no joy when someone is sentenced to death. The district attorney in this case said so himself.
	Last edited by Lee; 12-08-2007 at 10:30 PM.

07-23-2005, 01:57 AM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	I'm glad he got the death penalty. May he rott in hell.
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07-23-2005, 02:02 AM	#5
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	I think he should be hanged by his toenails or earlobes.
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07-23-2005, 02:30 AM	#6
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	I still remember hearing about what happened to her a couple of years ago. I felt horrible and now hearing about this...I can't even imagine what she went through and the pain her loved ones felt. Poor Sam.
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07-23-2005, 01:15 AM	#2
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	If anyone ever deserved the death penalty it was this loser. It is was so sad to hear Samantha's mother cry because of what this monster did. In cases like this there should be no appeal, automatic death. I will never forget this little girl. I feel her mother's pain.

07-23-2005, 01:05 PM	#7
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	Poor Sam and Erin I hope he burns with the devil, he deserves the death penalty.
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com