3 Sentenced in Torrance Slaying

Three remaining defendants in last year’s stabbing death of a Torrance man were sentenced to state prison Monday for their roles in planning the attack.

Torrance Superior Court Judge John P. Shook sentenced Stacy James, 21, and Michael Grace, 22, to 11 years in state prison for their roles in the attack. Shook ordered the third defendant, 23-year-old Alexander Frederick, to serve six years in prison.

All three pleaded guilty last month to voluntary manslaughter for orchestrating a March 2, 1990, attack on William Smith, 39, who suffered 32 stab wounds while struggling with a black-clad intruder in his Torrance home.

Martial arts enthusiast Gary Jose Alderete, 22, was convicted in February of being the assailant and was sentenced to 38 years to life in state prison.

According to Deputy Dist. Atty. Nikola M. Mikulicich, James, Grace and Frederick arranged for Alderete to attack Smith after Smith had threatened Grace’s brother, Richard.

Richard Grace, who also helped plan Smith’s death, is serving six years in state prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter.