PARAMOUNT : Teen-Ager Gets Life Term for Killing Honors Student
A teen-ager who shot and killed a Paramount High School honors student during a robbery attempt at a fast-food restaurant was sentenced Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Compton Superior Court Judge Steven Suzukawa sentenced Francisco Perez, 18, who was convicted in July of first-degree murder and attempted robbery for the June 17, 1992, slaying of Alfred Clark. Six years were added for the attempted robbery count.
Defense attorney Robin Yanes unsuccessfully argued that Perez should get a lesser term because he was shot in the head three years ago and may have suffered brain damage.
Clark, a star football player, sprinter and honors student who was to enter UCLA on a scholarship, was killed on the eve of his high school graduation, just after picking up his cap and gown. He was eating lunch with friends at a McDonald’s restaurant.
Perez, who lives in the Riverside County community of Moreno Valley, demanded Clark’s portable compact disc player. When Clark refused, he was shot in the chest and killed.
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