Judge Shortens Sentences For Teens Convicted In Shooting Spree
LONG BEACH (AP) — A Long Beach judge has shaved 150 years off the sentences of two teenage killers, giving them a chance for parole in 50 years.
The Long Beach Press-Telegram says Superior Court Judge J.D. Lord reduced the sentences on Wednesday, saying the gang members may be different people when they get out of jail.
Eric Benites and Jason Trejo originally faced terms of more than 200 years to life. The judge ordered that they serve their sentences for murder and other crimes concurrently instead of consecutively.
Prosecutors say the teens went on a shooting spree in 2007 and 2008 that killed a 16-year-old boy and wounded two others. The attacks were revenge for the stabbing death of Benites' 13-year-old brother.
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