[Thomas Frey, Mountain Democrat]

PLACERVILLE, Calif. (May 16, 2022) — More than two years since El Dorado County sheriff’s deputy Brian Ishmael was murdered, Juan Carlos Vazquez-Orozco and Christopher Ross received their sentences Friday. […]

“You put this whole nightmare into place,” Lueras said with a capacity courtroom hanging on every syllable. “Your lies and greed resulted in the death of one officer and changed the lives of everyone involved forever.”

Lueras dropped all three gun enhancements and gave Vazquez Orozco what El Dorado County prosecutors said is the lowest possible sentence under the law.

Lueras justified her leniency, stating that Vazquez Orozco did not pose a danger to the public, that the crime was situational, that the crimes were merely the result of misinformation and mostly the fault of the property owner Ross. She noted the defendant was 20 years old at the time of the crime, a fact that is already considered for purposes of early parole and that he had no known prior criminal history.

Following Friday’s sentencing El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson released a statement responding to Lueras’ decision.

“It no longer matters whether you use a gun or how many people you harm or how many prior violent felonies you have committed,” stated Pierson. “The legislature has cleared the path for judges to individually assess defendants and disregard any enhancement, resulting in wildly inconsistent sentences that fail to hold violent criminals accountable.” […]

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