A Houston judge on Friday sentenced the wheelman in a drive-by shooting that killed a retired police officer to 10 years of probation after a deal was struck with prosecutors for his cooperation.
State District Judge Susan Brown could have sentenced Raziel Jesus Munoz, 23, to a maximum of 15 years in prison after he agreed to testify against two co-defendants in the shooting that killed 78-year-old Velia “Belle” Ortega, who had been the Houston Police Department's first Hispanic female officer.
Instead, Brown sentenced Munoz to 10 years of deferred adjudication on a charge of felony murder, which means he would not have a conviction on his record if he completes probation.
At first it seemed quite incongruous that in Texas such a light sentence could be issued for such a serious crime. What do you think? Was the prosecution's case too weak to make convictions without Munoz' cooperation? Is anything Munoz says to be considered credible since he's gaining so much by saying it?
I love to read into these things, so tell me how this works for you. First of all, the victim was Hispanic and in Texas everyone knows they don't count quite as much as your regular white folks. Secondly, everyone involved in this messy case knows the chances of Munoz completing his probation without any additional criminal arrests are about zero. The results being, he'll be doing life along with his buddies sooner or later anyway.
The problems are two. Raziel Jesus Munoz should probably be taken off the streets now and not later after someone else dies. And, when he does eventually go to prison, it will really be a death sentence for having ratted on his partners.
What's your opinion? Do you think I'm reading too much into the case? How do you see it?
Please leave a comment.
"Raziel Jesus Munoz should probably be taken off the streets now and not later after someone else dies."
ReplyDeleteHoly crap. You finally get. Is that not what i've been saying all along?
"First of all, the victim was Hispanic and in Texas everyone knows they don't count quite as much as your regular white folks."
In Houston, it's quite the opposite, hence the light sentence.
First of all, the victim was Hispanic and in Texas everyone knows they don't count quite as much as your regular white folks.
ReplyDeleteThat is a rather bigoted comment. Are you projecting again. The victim was Hispanic, so was the perp (based on their names). The judge could be Hispanic as well - a name doesn't necessarily tell what your heritage is. Since this is Houston, there is a good chance that the prosecutor and arresting police officers were Hispanic as well. If you are trying to imply that Texans are bigoted, well, yeah some Texans are bigoted. Having lived there and other places, I can say that the pecentage of bigoted persons is not anymore than anywhere else. And it happens across all races. In fact, I have found that more bigoted people exist in homogenous cultures than mixed ones. The places with the most biogted people I have been? Western Europe. There is almost a universal disdain and prejudice against gypsies and it seems few countries like the people from the other countries. Foreigners are also looked down on. However, since everyone's skin color is the same for the most part, we don't focus on their bigotry or even call it that. But that is what it is.
And, when he does eventually go to prison, it will really be a death sentence for having ratted on his partners.
Let's see, you get involved with a murder, rat out your accomplices, and then later commit some other crime which sends you to prison where your accomplices decide to shank you. Wouldn't it have been safer to just get a job at WalMart? Honestly, you expect us to feel sorry for the self destructive behavior this person is engaged in?
I'm always suspicious when there is a vast disparity between the potential penalty and the plea bargain. I suspect that the prosecutors were not particularly confident that they could get a conviction, so they save face by "bargaining". This isn't justice. If he is guilty, he got off way too easy. If he is not guilty, he's being punished for something he didn't do.
ReplyDeleteWithout even attempting to be one iota as offensive, bigoted, or as biased as you on the subject of Texas, I will say you need to do at least a miniscule amount of research.
ReplyDeleteTexas was originally created with the help of many Hispanics who despised the Mexican government and put their lives on the line along with the "white" settlers who put down roots here. Though I am no fan of the overabundance of illegal immigration, I (and millions of fellow Texans and Texicans alike) have no issue with the Hispanic population and culture. The area I live in is predominately Hispanic. Good luck throwing a rock in my state without encountering the influence of such, and we are proud of our multiculturalism.
Now, with that ranting out of the way, let me say that I would have locked him up and thrown away the key. I don't favor repeat offenders, and I'm sad to say that happens all too often.
Texas Gun Nut, You really turned the tables on me. Usually I'm the one trying to be reasonable and not respond with insults.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right I've made a number of stupid references to Texas which are totally unnecessary. Please accept my apology. In the future you won't see any more of that if you come around here.
About Mr. Munoz, I agree with Sevesteen. "I'm always suspicious when there is a vast disparity between the potential penalty and the plea bargain."
In crimes like this, the wheel man doesn't deserve the same sentence as the shooter, in my opinion, but probation seems a bit light.
Fair enough.
ReplyDeleteCorrection duly noted, and appreciated.
Thanks for hearing me out, even if it does not fall in lockstep with your original idea.
TGN.