man gets 25 years to life for killing dog

[sofi98]

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13422674?source=most_viewed


A Milpitas man with a long history of violence was sentenced Friday to more than 25 years in prison for beating his former girlfriend's cocker spaniel to death with a hammer, a third strike for Alex Castro.

Castro, 48, begged the court for mercy, saying such a long sentence was too much for killing a dog, but the judge said he could not ignore the violence Castro inflicted in his life, according to the prosecutor.

"I am appreciative that not only did a jury take this case incredibly seriously, as evidenced by their verdict, but also that the judge did," said Deputy District Attorney Kevin Smith. "Despite the defendant's claims he was getting too much time for 'only killing a dog,' he is getting this sentence for the violence in his past."

[Remali]

Finally, a smart judge and jury. I would've liked to have seen him fried in the chair for such a violent crime.....

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

...he is getting this sentence for the violence in his past.

And the violence in his future... no doubt.

I've got no argument with that.

[peace_baby]

Glad to see our justice system shoveling out justice. :)

I agree with the jury regarding his sentence.

[sofi98]

Exactly. If a person is capable of such violence against any animal, I think we are all better off with them behind bars for a very long time.

[JackieB]

This is very encouraging. I'm really grateful to the judge and jury in California for this sentence.

Some of you may have read the letter that I've posted here that I sometimes send to prosecutors. My main argument is that it's not the victim that is the issue, but the perpetrator's willingness to inflict cruelty. And that we won't get to where we want to be as a peaceful society as long as we make a distinction based on the victim.

It may have taken a violent past to bring about such a severe sentence in this case, but I see it as a step in the right direction.

[vicklynn]

I agree. He needed to be sentenced for prior and possible future violence.
Poor dog. Sad to be beaten like that knowing it will end in your death.

[zoel_222]

Finally!!! Justice.

[twofingers]

I disagree. while I think the guy is a scumbucket and should be punished. when you go to court it is the charges that are on the docket that matter, not what you have done in the past - and paid for- nor what you may do in the future. when did we start sending people to prison for what they may do?

[Equine_Woman]

If it stops him from killing someones kid, I'm okay with it. . .

And I think killing someone's dog deserves 25 to life personally.

Finally, a precedence is being set! I hope it continues.

[starkitten]

Justice :) I'll tell you something - my ex beat me within my life (please no sym) but he also beat our rott that way too - when I tried to take her away - he broke her leg :( With these people people or animal it doesn't matter - I'm so glad I'm free of that mentality.

'Our Rott' just dies about 3 weeks ago, but she live an abuse free life for the past 13 years :) She was ready......

[twofingers]

oh please. it is a dog! do you want me to apply the same standards of equality to your horse, your cat, your gerbil? yes it's wrong. yes, he is a cruel man. but if your partner beats you more than once you are a consenting participant. Should we incriminate obama for the lives lost of the afgan civilians because he ordered it. or are they dogs? be careful how you justify, justice.

[Vibe]

Bout time. ;):p

[Vacker Hast]

Twofingers,

You are fighting a losing battle on this one. It is FACT that serial killers start off abusing and killing animals. Peeping Toms escalate into rapists and then killers.

We know human behavior and the patterns to look at more seriously but they have been ignored due to the laws that protect THEM and so many horrible deaths could have been prevented if these people would have stayed behind bars ... WE ALL KNOW THIS!!!

It's about time a Judge and Jury set Precedence on these facts to help protect the innocent. There will be many trials where the Judge and Jury still think like you and ignore past behavior and it will continue into the future with a person being horribly tortured and killed.

Shame on you for even comparing this to a President during war!!!

Stacy

[WashingtonBay]

oh please. it is a dog! do you want me to apply the same standards of equality to your horse, your cat, your gerbil?

I think it's not just for the dog... it's for the act of terror and revenge(?) I'd guess, on the ex girlfriend who owned the dog. It was an act against a dog, and it's owner, IMHO.

And most importantly, it's a third strike. Third felony, other violent convictions... he's OUT. Take away his membership card, he's shown to not play well with others.

[twofingers]

be that as it may; I merely suggest that such joy and delight in this issue might not be about justice. And the comparison to the president? well there are still folks hunting the last president and vice president's heads for their wartime activities. don't misunderstand, I think the guy is a scum. he got what he deserved. And I stand humbly chastised and agreeing that the battle is lost. and justice as always is arbitrary.
I'm leaving town now I'll be back Tuesday.

[natisha]

When that THING was beating that dog he was thinking of his ex & the pain, torment, fear & grief it would bring to her & he found pleasure in that, same way he would feel when he was doing it to her head.
I hope he feels those same things he inflicted on the dog & his ex while experiencing his own rectal stretchings.