Gang Member Will Serve 7 Years in Slaying of Youth

A gang member convicted of first-degree murder in the killing of a church choirboy was sentenced Tuesday to 25 years to life, but will only serve about seven years.

Orange County Superior Court Judge David O. Carter gave Tu Anh Do, 18, of Garden Grove a chance at rehabilitation, in part because he had no history of violence and because of his limited role in the Aug. 6, 1993, killing of Lozaro Omar Acosta Jr.

Acosta, a sophomore at Century High School and a church choirboy, was sitting in his parents’ car in convenience store parking lot in Orange when rival gang members opened fire.

A stray bullet struck and killed Acosta, who was about to depart on a weekend church retreat with his parents. His parents were in the convenience store buying snacks for the retreat when the shooting occurred.

Do was a juvenile at the time of the killing but was tried as an adult and convicted of first-degree murder and an additional charge for belonging to a street gang. Do was not armed and did not participate in the shootout. But under state law he was held as culpable.

Do has prior arrests for petty theft and burglary. The California Youth Authority concluded that Do would be a good candidate for CYA treatment.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Robin Park wanted Do sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison. But Carter sentenced Do to the CYA, which releases inmates upon their 25th birthday.

Do’s defense attorney could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Several other gang members have been sentenced or await trial in Acosta’s killing.