Inmate Convicted In Grisly Prison Slaying

First-Degree Murder Conviction For Man Who Killed Cellmate And Used His Entrails To Taunt Guards

(AP)  Federal jurors have convicted a prison inmate of first-degree murder for killing his cellmate and using the victim's internal organs to taunt guards.

The jury will now decide whether 32-year-old William Sablan should be executed for the October 1999 death of 33-year-old Joey Estrella.

The two were cellmates at the U.S. Penitentiary in Florence when Estrella was strangled, then cut open. Prosecutors say Sablan then used Estrella's entrails to taunt guards, as well as other inmates, and send a message that he deserved their respect.

Sablan's cousin, 47-year-old Rudy Sablan, was also in the cell. He's charged with first-degree murder and faces the death penalty, but his trial has not yet been scheduled.

William Sablan's attorneys had argued that brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder made him unable to control his impulses.

[mitywhity]

Wow. You mean nearly the whole family was in prison with this guy? That's some fine genetics there. Let this be a lesson to any fool who isn't afraid of prison.

[randalds]

What? You mean the government didn't get Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to confess to this too? I thought he'd squeeze it in between the 1919 Black Sox Scandal and being the mastermind behind the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Why not? They've tortured him into confess to everything else.

[mitywhity]

Awwww, c'mon - that siliconigger is PROUD to admit what he did. They probably waterboared him to keep the stench down. Would you want to be around that fat hairball in 100 degree heat? No thanks!

[extremophil]

They should send this guy to prison.....Doh!

[theusa1st]

It took almost 8 yrs to convict this piece of human garbage...and now we have to spend more money to convict his cousin? I've got some rope...anybody have a strong tree for the both of them ?

[agnim]

Some justice system.

The crime took place almost ten years ago; the criminals are known and in custody; it's an open and shut case; yet it took the in-justice system so long to have a trial? Whatever happen to timely justice? Tsk-tsk

This in-justice system stinks to high heaven!

[musty2u]

And then the years of appellate process wil continue ad infinitum. What a system we have built for our prisoners to allow them such rights.

Off 'em

[sclaires]

First it too way too long to try and convict this scum of the earth. Now we have his cousin's trial coming up eventually. Then the appellant attorneys will try anything they can to get the death penalty overturned. What does he have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and brain injuries from?? Did his parents give him spankings which he most likely deserved?? I don't see where that would cause PTSD and brain injuries. Come on now. PTSD and brain injuries are old excuses. Can't the attorneys come up with anything new?? Let's just go ahead and put the needle in his arm and get rid of this scum.