Commuter Train Killer Gets 11 Life Terms

Man Parked SUV On Tracks, Caused Fatal Derailment

(AP)  A judge sentenced a man convicted of causing a deadly commuter rail crash to 11 consecutive life terms on Wednesday after denouncing him as a remorseless killer.

Superior Court Judge William Pounders said he would have imposed a sentence of "forever" on Juan Alvarez, if it was possible. Alvarez will not be eligible for parole.

Alvarez parked his gasoline-soaked SUV on railroad tracks, causing the Metrolink train to derail and strike another Metrolink train traveling in the other direction on Jan. 26, 2005. Eleven people died and about 180 were injured.

The jury foreman said earlier that he rejected Alvarez's explanation that he was trying to commit suicide. The defense maintained Alvarez changed his mind at the last minute about committing suicide and couldn't get the SUV off the tracks before it was struck.

Pounders spoke of the excruciating suffering of the survivors, and many of them came forward to speak through tears about their lost relatives and the way the crash had changed their lives.

Some demanded that Alvarez, seated at the counsel table facing the judge, turn and look them in the eye as they told him of the havoc he had wrought on their lives.

"Please look at me so you can understand," said Elaine Sievers, sister of one of the victims. "You did a very bad and stupid thing."

Alvarez obliged some of the speakers. In some cases, he shook his head when they asked him for responses.

A few said they were trying to forgive him. Most said they could not.

"I wish you the most miserable life possible," said Henry Romero, nephew of a victim.

"Who knows if God will forgive you? I can't," said Hope Alcala, mother of Manuel Alcala.

[dagrandma]

Once again, we have to pay thousands upon thousands of dollars to keep a murderer in prison. It costs more to keep these people locked up for a year than many Americans make in a year. I''m sorry, I think he gave up his right to life when he committed this crime.

[tburzio]

The current budget proposes freeing over 30,000 felons. It''s very likely he will be freed in the next few months.

[deacon20081]

It''s California kids..he''ll do 20 years and be out.

[frankinaz]

What kind of a justice system would give a person like this eleven life sentences, knowing he can only serve one? He should have been given only one sentence,and that is the death sentence.
My condolences to the family and friends of the victims.

[patriot12436]

frankinaz
The way the laws are set up he would be eligible for parole in a matter of years if he received only one life sentence. The judge made sure he will never be eligible for parole.

[antipc]

I don''t like the death penalty, but the guy killed 11 people and it''s well established that he actually committed the crime. That''s 1000% better than most death penalty cases in Texas.

Can''t the feds still kill him? http://deathpenalty.procon.org/viewresource.asp?resourceID=1250

[patriot12436]

nancy
So you think some idiot that botches a robbery and kills somene shouyld be excused for the crime ? I didn''t think it was possible to get dumber with each statement but you have proven it does happen.

[patriot12436]

maybe someone will spray his cell with lighter fluid and let him see how it is to die like his victims.