Watch CBS News

Gang Member, 16, Sentenced To 90 Years In Prison For Infant's Murder

COMPTON (CBSLA.com) — A 16-year-old gang member Friday was sentenced to 90 years in prison for shooting and killing a 14-month-old baby who was asleep in his father's arms.

Donald Dokins received the maximum sentence after being convicted of murder and attempted murder with gang enhancements. A jury deliberated for less than an hour before finding Dokins guilty in April.

Mauro Cortez was standing outside of a house, holding his baby Angel, in the 105000 block of South Hikory Street on June 4, 2012 when Dokins rode up on his bicycle and fired off at least three rounds, hitting the father in the shoulder and the sleeping baby in the stomach.

Cortez survived with minor injuries, but Angel was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators believe Dokins, then 15, shot Cortez because he was wearing a purple shirt, a color associated with a rival gang in the area.

Dokins was arrested on June 27, 2012.

During the sentencing hearing, the baby's mother, Liliana Nava, spoke, choking back tears, explaining that they named the baby Angel because she was not supposed to conceive after having three open heart surgeries.

Dokins is one of the youngest murder defendants in the system and will not be eligible for parole for 72 years.

RELATED STORIES:

Alleged Gang Member, 15, Charged With Murdering Baby While He Lay In Father's Arms
Boy, 15, Appears In Court On Murder Charges In Toddler's Death

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.