CAMARILLO : Man Gets 7 Years in 2 Pedestrian Deaths

A Camarillo man who killed two pedestrians while driving drunk and fleeing police was sentenced Friday to seven years in prison.

Superior Court Judge James M. McNally, who could have allowed probation in the case, said 21-year-old Gary Scott Samaniego deserved a prison term for his actions.

Samaniego’s attorney, Richard Hanawalt, asked McNally for probation. He said Samaniego has nearly recovered from physical injuries suffered in the crash but is still scarred psychologically.

“He couldn’t survive a Boy Scout training camp, much less (prison),” Hanawalt said.

Samaniego pleaded guilty to two charges of vehicular manslaughter in the May 2 deaths of Oxnard residents Baltazar Camacho Borjoquez, 37, and his nephew, Eleno Leyva Borjoquez, 20.

Witnesses said the defendant was driving at least 65 m.p.h. on Oxnard Boulevard--a 35 m.p.h. zone--when he ran a red light at 7th Avenue and hit two men in the crosswalk and a third man walking his bicycle.

Victor Borjoquez, a cousin and nephew of the dead men, asked McNally to sentence Samaniego to the maximum of 13 years behind bars.

“I feel he should be put away for life,” said Victor, who appeared to be about 12 and who silenced the courtroom during his tearful statement. “I don’t think his maximum should be 13 years because he took away two lives.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. James D. Ellison said Samaniego had not displayed adequate remorse for his crimes and had blamed the police officers chasing him for causing the accident.

He also said the public is clamoring for stiffer sentences for drunk drivers who kill and maim. “This case cries out for punishment,” Ellison said.

Defense attorney Hanawalt said Samaniego is remorseful, but has a hard time expressing himself because of the psychological effect of the crash. He also discounted Victor’s statements.

“I have to assume somebody prepared that message,” Hanawalt said.