Man Sentenced in Death of Bystander

A 38-year-old North Hollywood man who fatally shot a bystander while trying to kill his ex-girlfriend was sentenced Wednesday to 26 years to life in prison.

Fernando Osorio was convicted in October of second-degree murder and attempted murder for killing Ralph Guillen, 34, with shots intended for Yolanda Gallegos, who had spurned him several months earlier.

On Feb. 19, 1988, Osorio went to the bar where Gallegos worked and fired a .38-caliber automatic pistol at her, but hit Guillen instead.

Deputy Public Defender Jerold M. Schultz argued that Osorio should be convicted of manslaughter, not murder, because he did not mean to kill Guillen.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Guadalupe Y. Gonzalez read a plea from Guillen’s widow and four young children, who said they still require psychiatric counseling and asked that Osorio receive the maximum sentence of 26 years to life.

Gonzalez also pleaded for the maximum sentence, saying Guillen was born on Christmas Day and dressed up as Santa Claus each year to distribute gifts to his family, who now celebrate the holiday at his graveside.