An admitted gangster who was declared guilty of three attempted murders, after he shot three persons that were out walking their dog in Carlsbad one night, was sentenced today.
Luciano Velasquez got 30 years plus 75-years-to-life, the terms to run consecutively, by San Diego County Superior Court Judge Runston Maino.
The judge remarked on the “callous attack” and noticed Velasquez’ prior record and said his crimes are “increasing in seriousness.”
Luciano Velasquez, then 23, was released from prison on October 5, 2011 and the triple-shooting happened October 10, 2011, according to the prosecutor.
Gang specialist Geoff Allard convinced a jury that the already-hardened youth was anxious to prove his worth to the Mexican Mafia. The defendant startled persons in the courtroom during his trial, when he removed his shirt and turned his back to show the huge SURENO tattoo across his shoulders.
Luciano Velasquez, now 25, never denied that he is a member of an Oceanside street gang called Mesa Locos.
The three shooting victims survived to testify, and told a jury that they saw tattoos on the shooter’s face. Velasquez has the number 1 tattooed near one eye, and the number 3 at the other. The number 13 stands for the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, M. For a gangster, this could refer to the Mesa gang or the Mexican Mafia.
Judge Maino acknowledged the “strong” people who testified, which he said is not always seen in gang cases. All three victims came to court, to hear the sentencing this morning.
Prosecutor Geoff Allard asked the judge to notice that the three victims were raised by “family,” while Luciano Velasquez was raised by a gang. “It boils down to parenting and family,” the deputy district attorney said.
Although defense attorney Pamela Lacher said she will file an appeal on behalf of Velasquez, the judge remarked that the gangster “is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison.”
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/feb/01/39430/
An admitted gangster who was declared guilty of three attempted murders, after he shot three persons that were out walking their dog in Carlsbad one night, was sentenced today.
Luciano Velasquez got 30 years plus 75-years-to-life, the terms to run consecutively, by San Diego County Superior Court Judge Runston Maino.
The judge remarked on the “callous attack” and noticed Velasquez’ prior record and said his crimes are “increasing in seriousness.”
Luciano Velasquez, then 23, was released from prison on October 5, 2011 and the triple-shooting happened October 10, 2011, according to the prosecutor.
Gang specialist Geoff Allard convinced a jury that the already-hardened youth was anxious to prove his worth to the Mexican Mafia. The defendant startled persons in the courtroom during his trial, when he removed his shirt and turned his back to show the huge SURENO tattoo across his shoulders.
Luciano Velasquez, now 25, never denied that he is a member of an Oceanside street gang called Mesa Locos.
The three shooting victims survived to testify, and told a jury that they saw tattoos on the shooter’s face. Velasquez has the number 1 tattooed near one eye, and the number 3 at the other. The number 13 stands for the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, M. For a gangster, this could refer to the Mesa gang or the Mexican Mafia.
Judge Maino acknowledged the “strong” people who testified, which he said is not always seen in gang cases. All three victims came to court, to hear the sentencing this morning.
Prosecutor Geoff Allard asked the judge to notice that the three victims were raised by “family,” while Luciano Velasquez was raised by a gang. “It boils down to parenting and family,” the deputy district attorney said.
Although defense attorney Pamela Lacher said she will file an appeal on behalf of Velasquez, the judge remarked that the gangster “is likely to spend the rest of his life in prison.”
http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/feb/01/39430/