Teen-Ager Gets Life in Arizona Temple Murders

A teen-ager was sentenced Friday to spend the rest of his life in prison for the 1991 murders of six monks and three other people at a Buddhist temple.

A judge spared Johnathan Doody the death penalty, saying he could not determine without a doubt if Doody actually pulled the trigger in the slayings.

Doody, 19, was convicted last July 12 of murder, armed robbery and other charges. He was sentenced to nine life terms, and must serve at least 25 years on each one.

Superior Court Judge Gregory Martin ordered the life terms to be served consecutively with sentences for the other charges for a total sentence of at least 281 years.

The slayings at the Wat Promkunaram temple west of Phoenix in August, 1991, stunned the area’s large Buddhist community.

According to testimony, Doody and Alessandro Garcia, 18, ransacked the monks’ quarters and took cameras, electronic equipment and $2,790 in cash. Prosecutors said Doody ordered the monks, an elderly nun and two male followers onto the floor and shot them in the head because he feared they might identify him.

Doody’s brother had studied at the temple.

Garcia pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. Martin will sentence Garcia at a later date.

According to trial testimony, Doody and Garcia planned to rob the temple as early as June, 1991. They allegedly visited the temple to learn the layout and made extensive preparations for their assault.

They bought military camouflage clothing, gloves and combat boots. They also borrowed a .22-caliber rifle and a 20-gauge shotgun.

Doody ignored reporters’ questions as he was led away Friday. His lawyer, Peter Balkan, said an appeal was planned.

Three robed monks attended the sentencing and left without comment.

“They’re all relieved,” said Barbara Heller, a temple member and spokeswoman. “They just wanted it to be over.”