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Upstanding citizen who shot career criminal gets t
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
Car-vandal vigilante gets 3 years in jail
By CHRISENA COLEMAN
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A Bronx man who gunned down a career criminal breaking into his car was sentenced to at least three years in prison yesterday after begging a judge for mercy.
"I am terribly sorry," Victor Vicenty said, choking up. "If I could bring this man back, I would. I am a 55-year-old veteran, and I've never been arrested.
"I am a father and a grandfather," he continued. "I know what I have done is wrong, and I apologize. I am asking for mercy."
Bronx Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus sentenced Vicenty to three to nine years behind bars. On July 1, Vicenty was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter in the death of 41-year-old Kevin Bethea.
"I cannot send out the message to the community that this is acceptable behavior," said Marcus, who received letters and a petition with 100 signatures from neighbors on Vicenty's behalf.
He fatally shot Bethea, who had been arrested more than 50 times since 1976, in May 2001 after he caught Bethea breaking into his white 1998 Toyota Corolla.
Vicenty told a grand jury that his car had been vandalized several times while parked near his Soundview apartment building. He said that on May 7, 2001, he heard the alarm sound and went downstairs about 2 a.m.
Self-defense claim
Vicenty, a school bus driver, said Bethea threatened him and was coming at him when he opened fire, emptying a .22-caliber rifle.
Bronx Assistant District Attorney Barbara Chavez asked for a five- to 15-year sentence.
"We must remain a civilized society," Chavez said. "Citizens cannot decide who, without due process, can live or die."
Vicenty's lawyer, Murray Richman, said his client will appeal.
"I am deeply saddened that a person who is in every way a good citizen must be judged like a criminal and sentenced to time in jail," Richman said.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/story/4439p-4076c.html
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
By CHRISENA COLEMAN
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
A Bronx man who gunned down a career criminal breaking into his car was sentenced to at least three years in prison yesterday after begging a judge for mercy.
"I am terribly sorry," Victor Vicenty said, choking up. "If I could bring this man back, I would. I am a 55-year-old veteran, and I've never been arrested.
"I am a father and a grandfather," he continued. "I know what I have done is wrong, and I apologize. I am asking for mercy."
Bronx Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus sentenced Vicenty to three to nine years behind bars. On July 1, Vicenty was found guilty of second-degree manslaughter in the death of 41-year-old Kevin Bethea.
"I cannot send out the message to the community that this is acceptable behavior," said Marcus, who received letters and a petition with 100 signatures from neighbors on Vicenty's behalf.
He fatally shot Bethea, who had been arrested more than 50 times since 1976, in May 2001 after he caught Bethea breaking into his white 1998 Toyota Corolla.
Vicenty told a grand jury that his car had been vandalized several times while parked near his Soundview apartment building. He said that on May 7, 2001, he heard the alarm sound and went downstairs about 2 a.m.
Self-defense claim
Vicenty, a school bus driver, said Bethea threatened him and was coming at him when he opened fire, emptying a .22-caliber rifle.
Bronx Assistant District Attorney Barbara Chavez asked for a five- to 15-year sentence.
"We must remain a civilized society," Chavez said. "Citizens cannot decide who, without due process, can live or die."
Vicenty's lawyer, Murray Richman, said his client will appeal.
"I am deeply saddened that a person who is in every way a good citizen must be judged like a criminal and sentenced to time in jail," Richman said.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/story/4439p-4076c.html
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of a constitutional privilege." - Arkansas Supreme Court, 1878
Comments
When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
Eric S. Williams
New York is a place I am happy to be from, FAR FAR FROM!
How can anyone in a judges robes dare to state "We can't allow this type of message" Exactly what message does that POS's ruling send to the criminals?
"YOU ARE PROTECTED SO YOU MAY CONTINUE YOUR LAWLESSNESS IN PERFECT SAFETY! OR I"LL SEND ANYONE HARMING YOU TO PRISON"
How can this maggot in judges robes sleep at night? Protected by taxpayer paid police guards no doubt!
Bartman