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Eva Knott

Eva Knott is a Reader contributor. See staff page for published articles.

Escondido man guilty of double-murder for shooting pregnant girlfriend

Ruben Anthony Cepeda was sentenced to 40 years prison this morning, October 25, 2013. He will be eligible for parole after 38 years and six months in State prison, according to the prosecutor, Keith Watanabe. “Leniency is in the eye of the beholder,” said the Honorable Judge Harry Elias. He spoke to both supporters of the defendant and family of the woman who was killed, in court today. The father of the deceased, Jose Rodriguez, spoke to the judge before sentencing. The tall man leaned on a podium and wiped his eyes while he described how the tragedy affected his family. “I know there is a God who will heal me,” he said. “We are trying to find peace.” Mister Rodriguez concluded by wondering aloud if the judge had a daughter, “and I hope there will be justice.” Ruben Cepeda took opportunity today to apologize to the family of the victim, and said the shooting was an accident. And he said, “I do think about this everyday, and I dream about it too.” Before sentence was declared, defense attorney Jim Weintre asked the judge to “modify” the jury’s verdict from second-degree murder to involuntary manslaughter, but the judge declined. “I don’t believe the jury was confused,” Judge Elias said. He declared it was not “appropriate” for him to “arbitrarily” change the jury’s verdict. Marianne Barrajas, the defendant’s mother, told the judge that the shooting was “not a malicious act” and begged the judge to “have some leniency.” Ms. Barrajas said “I had Ruben at a young age, I think I was fifteen” and she wanted to share some blame for his “juvenile troubles.” (Prosecutor Watanabe presented evidence that Ruben Cepeda had extensive criminal history as a juvenile, with multiple violent offenses, including robbery.) Ruben Cepeda’s sister and aunt and grandmother also requested leniency. Grandma Sanders said “this was just a tragic accident” and “the damage is done” and “I wish that time served would be the end of it.” Judge Elias noted that Cepeda has 502 days “custody credit” as of today, October 25, 2013. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/o…
— October 25, 2013 2:43 p.m.

On Crossing and Crossing

Good one.
— October 6, 2013 9:57 a.m.

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