Miami Officer Given 7 Years in Slayings

A Latino police officer convicted of manslaughter in the deaths of two black men was sentenced today to seven years in state prison in a case that triggered three nights of racial violence.

William Lozano, 31, who remained stern-faced throughout his daylong sentencing hearing, listened impassively as Dade Circuit Judge Joseph Farina imposed the sentence.

The defense, which had promised an appeal beforehand, used the hearing to outline its objections, including the judge’s refusal to exclude a black union official from the jury, his refusal to move the trial from Miami and his rejection of some testimony during the sentencing hearing.

The judge agreed to let Lozano post bond but ordered his attorneys to file an appeal within 30 days.

The officer, who has been suspended without pay, was fingerprinted in court as part of standard criminal proceedings after sentencing. He and his attorneys refused to comment as they left court moments later.

A lawyer for Lozano argued before sentencing today that the officer was prosecuted to prevent racial violence rather than to achieve justice and deserves a new trial.

Lozano’s shooting of an unarmed motorcyclist and the ensuing death of a passenger led to three days of riots one year ago.

“We don’t have trials in order to satisfy mobs,” defense attorney Roy Black said, pointing to the “ring of steel,” the armored security teams that surrounded the courthouse just before the verdict Dec. 7.

After attorney arguments, Adina Lloyd, mother of slain motorcyclist Clement Lloyd, took the stand to ask for justice for her son. She looked at Lozano and said bitterly, “If it was my son that did it to him, my son would be behind bars now.”

Representatives of police organizations and Lozano’s family argued for leniency. Lozano’s mother, Haydee Lozano, said he had a hard childhood but “has been the one who helped us through the difficult battles.”

Prosecutors maintained that under state guidelines, the suspended officer faced a 12- to 17-year prison term. The defense had argued a different interpretation, of three to seven years. But the judge sided with the prosecution.

Another defense attorney, Mark Seiden, said an appeal will be filed immediately after sentencing, a move that prosecutors acknowledged will keep Lozano out of prison for some time. He has been free on $10,000 bond.

There is “no reasonable way” Lozano could be kept in jail pending the outcome of the appeal, said John Hogan, lead prosecutor in the case.

Dade County’s Community Relations Board had stressed to blacks that it was unlikely Lozano would get the maximum sentence because of his background and because he is a first-time offender.

“They have to be a little realistic,” said crisis coordinator Willie Sims.

“Not even Solomon could decide this one to satisfy everyone,” said D. Marvin Jones, an associate professor of law at the University of Miami.