Ex-Prostitute Gets Death For 'Particulary Cruel' Double Slaying
RIVERSIDE (CBS) — Calling her crimes "particularly cruel," a jury decided that a former prostitute who killed two men during the commission of a robbery deserved to die.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Helios J. Hernandez described the crimes committed by Brooke Marie Rottiers as "cold, callous, brutal and particularly cruel."
Rottiers, 30, of Corona, was found guilty in June of two counts of first-degree murder in the slaying of Marvin Gabriel, 22, and Milton Chavez, 28.
Said Judge Hernandez after hearing the jury's recommendation, "The defendant's conduct ... included beating, hitting, stomping, hog-tying and asphyxiation."
He added that she went "well beyond" the necessary to rob and cover her tracks.
Rottiers defense attorney, Chris Jensen, argued for life in prison saying his client was a victim of sexual abuse as a child and that she had a long history of drug addiction. He also argued that as the mother of four children her kids needed her.
Rottiers' two co-defendants were also found guilty. One received life in prison without the possibility of parole, the other awaits sentencing next week, according to the DA's office.
"The victims had panties and other cloth items stuffed in their mouths," the judge said. "Their mouths and noses were covered and taped over. They were hog-tied with cords around their necks to their hands, which were behind their backs and to their ankles. They asked for mercy. Instead of mercy, she let them suffocate to death while she and her co-defendants ingested drugs."
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