2 Men Get Life For Killing 3 Kids

(AP)  A judge sentenced two undocumented Mexican immigrants to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders of three small children who were found nearly decapitated in slayings the judge said were done "to send a message."

Policarpio Espinoza, 24, and Adan Canela, 19, were convicted last month of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the deaths of 8-year-old Lucero Espinoza and her 10-year-old male cousin, Alexis Espejo Quezada. They also were convicted of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of 9-year-old Ricardo Espinoza Jr. He was Lucero's brother.

"The deaths of these children stood as a message for others," Judge David Mitchell said before announcing the sentences. But the judge pointed out that it's still unknown what that message was and why the children were murdered in their family's apartment in May 2004.

Family members gave victim impact statements before sentencing that underscored the tragedy as well as the mysterious circumstances surrounding the murders. Espinoza is the children's uncle, and Canela is a cousin.

Noemi Espinoza Quezada, the mother of Lucero and Ricardo, spoke of the anguish the murders have caused the family, but she said she thought the trial was "unfair" and that she believed the evidence was insufficient.

"The truth is, I am not satisfied with what has been done," she said through a translator.

Prosecutors have repeatedly said family members are afraid to tell the truth about what happened.

Maria Andrea Espejo Quezada, the mother of Alexis, didn't defend the men, saying she wanted them to "tell us what was the motive of what they have done to the children."

Policarpio Espinoza declined to give a statement before being sentenced. Canela wept as he insisted he was innocent.

"I want to tell my family I didn't do this," he told the judge between sobs.

Canela said he loved his cousins and spoke of how he and the family had come to the United States to pursue dreams of better lives.

"Now look at what's been done to me," he said.

The fact that at least some family members were brought into the country by human smugglers, called "coyotes," has long hovered in the background of the complicated case. The family is from Tenenexpan, a town in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Their use of smugglers fueled speculation that the conditions under which the family entered the United States could have played a role in the murders.

Police have said they believe additional people likely played a role in the killings, possibly other family members.

Mitchell, before announcing the sentence, said there was evidence that some family members knew of the murders in advance "and did nothing to intercede."

Ricardo Espinoza Perez, the father of Lucero and Ricardo Jr., told The Associated Press in an interview last month that he doesn't believe smugglers he used could have been responsible. He said he didn't owe them money and the crimes happened about seven years after he and his family entered the country. He also said he believed someone with a grudge against Maria Andrea was involved.

Victor Espinoza Perez, a brother of Ricardo Perez and Policarpio, also spoke before sentencing, saying he was "100 percent convinced" that the men were innocent. He said he believed Maria Andrea knew who the killers were.

"Andrea knows who killed the children," he said in court. "She knows that very well."

She declined to comment on what he said.

The sentencing capped a long legal proceeding in a case that was so horrific that it sickened homicide investigators in a city with one of the nation's highest violent crime rates.

"No crimes shocked the community more than did these," Mitchell said.

It took prosecutors two trials to get convictions. The first trial ended in a hung jury in August 2005.

The evidence included two pairs of jeans with the children's blood and skin cells matching Espinoza and Canela's DNA. Prosecutors also presented a shoe worn by Espinoza with a small drop of Lucero's blood. They also had two bloody gloves with DNA links to the two men.

Christopher Lewis, a juror in the second trial who attended sentencing, praised the judge's decision. Lewis said he believes other people also played a role in the crimes. He also said he is still haunted by the gruesome photographs of the nearly decapitated children that were shown in court.

"You still have the images of the pictures in your head," Lewis said.

[mom0306]

These two men murdered three small children from their own family. It sickens me to no end that someone of any nationality or race could even be capable of doing that. What I don't understand is why these men aren't on death row? I don't give a hoot if Mexico doesn't have a death penalty. They didn't do this in Mexico, they did this here, so they should have to pay for the crime just like any other sickening American that has done something like this. They wanted to be Americans so bad.....show 'em how we treat child killers! Get a rope....

[niclee27]

I think we are losing sight of the real issue just because these two men are Mexican. Their race does not automatically make them criminals, nor does their legal or illegal status. With no motive what-so-ever, I believe this conviction is ludicrous. If they were related to the children, it's no big shock that their DNA was found at the scene. As for the mother, the Mexican culture is dominated by 'machismo.' In the public sphere, a woman would not typically disagree with the men in her family. We should not be suprised that she is not giving a lot of information.

[clay3005]

peaceforUSA
My opinion was just that-an opinion, but since you have singled me out...I have to respond. I disagree with so many of your "opinions", and that is my right as an American. I think this crime would have happened regardless of the location. I think the mother does know something; what her reasoning is by not telling is something she will personally have to deal with. If my taxes are going to house criminals, I have no problem with that as long as they are not on the streets and living next door to me...despite a legal status or not. Prison can not be all that you have made it out to be, because no matter what-you are not free!
"Legal" or "Illegal", I think these folks would still be in this predicament. It is obviously a family matter or problem. Despite of where you think your tax dollars are going...I have a newsflash of my own..."The money also goes to some Americans that are just plain lazy!" Wrong is wrong!! Sin is sin!!

[peaceforusa]

gmond

You are correct in your point and I agree, but it also is the governments fault of the countries that these illegal aliens come from. And also, these are adults, and they know what they are doing is criminal, and that doesn't stop them. So they are committing a crime when they step over that border with the intent to stay here just to reap in those handouts. So tell me why should this be our burden. Either way you look at it, we as American taxpayers pay for this day in and day out. So we are changing it. Securing the borders and deportation. If they really want to be here in our country they will come with the necessary papers.

[gmond]

I don't mind illegal immigrants. At least they are working at the jobs nobody else wants to do, unlike our fully subsidized commonwealth citizens.

They have to work also, but only after they get automatic welfare and free job training.

Then they are handed civil service positions for which no test is required, and private sector jobs because the business owners get reimbursed by the government.

So think again before you say the illegals are taking away our jobs or demanding that we speak their language. That is the fault of our government, not illegal immigrants.

[peaceforusa]

ecuadoriana

At least silentwolfe59 made an attempt at the English language. I too am a stickler for error but am not ashamed when I make an error..no one is perfect..except you I guess!
NEWSFLASH** Mexicans were not born into the language because they are MEXICAN!!! They have their own country, their own language..They shouldn't expect us to speak their language and they should at least learn enough where they don't need a translator. All these people were in the USA for years and no attempt was made in all that time to assimilate to our language?? I think people who feel the need to side with criminals and ILLEGAL ALIENS all need to be deported with them! This is our country and without them you can bet the crime rate would go down. Go out there and get ststistics on the USA crime rate increase due to people who are illegally in this country, and please stop correcting people that can't spell as perfectly as others...at least they have the basics of the language!!!

[peaceforusa]

clay3005 & cvarnell2075
Even though you have your opinion about this issue, the issue is, if these illegals were not here, none of this would have happened, but now that it has...my taxes, your taxes, and every other citizen and legal immigrant is going to pay to keep these murderers in prison. 3 squares (meals) a day, education, etc, etc, etc.,
Here are women who had their children killed and still refuse to cooperate, for what ever reason. I myself would turn the killer in in a heartbeat if I knew something, no matter what the consequences would bring me. There is something very wrong here and if they weren't ILLEGAL, they would not be in this predicament. It is their ILLEGAL status that has screwed them up.
We are not stupid...we know there are criminals in all races, but most are LEGAL immigrants and American born...so again I ask, why should I and every other taxpayer pay to house these ILLEGAL criminals? When you have an answer to that let me know. My tax $$$'s would better benefit the elderly people that can't afford their medications, or the single mother that needs decent housing for her and her children as long as they were all LEGALLY allowed to be in this country!!!

[ecuadoriana]

Hey silentwolf59, While you are complaining in your very eloquent profanity about people who come to the US and don't speak or learn English, you may want to go back and check your own spelling and grammar skills.

I've always noticed that those who complain about the English language skills of immigrants have the worst skills themselves. Immigrants aren't born into the English language so they can be forgiven for their struggle to master this most difficult tongue.

What is YOUR excuse for a statement such as this: "...if your going to live in this country speak the *** language..." Incorrect usage of "your" and refering to english as "the *** language demonstrates completely your racism and ignorance.

Take a suggestion from your name and stay silent.

[cvarnell2075]

do any of you know that GOD made us all. there are bad people in all nationalites.it does not matter what country you come from.white people, black people, hispanic, asian... i read new every day nad it seems to me there is bab in all races..

[clay3005]

I agree with peacelover7, the focus of this report is to find out whom is responsible for the death of innocent children. No matter what color, race, they are. As for food stamps, welfare, etc. thank God you are not in the situation of needing that assistance. As Americans we only let others come in and take the jobs and businesses we don't want as Americans. As Americans we are priviliged, we have opportunities so many other countries do not have. It is up to us to do with this what we will. If we are lazy, and sit back and do nothing, then we get what we deserve. Yes, then someone else will come in and take our jobs and businesses-because they will work harder and want it more than we do. Who's fault is it then?