Dancer’s Bodyguard Receives 16-Year Term

An exotic dancer’s bodyguard convicted of voluntary manslaughter for the shooting death of a man involved in a confrontation with the performer was sentenced Friday to 16 years in state prison.

Lawrence Sanchez’s family sobbed as the judge handed down the sentence: six years for the manslaughter and 10 years for using a gun.

Sanchez, a 26-year-old father of three and a former Marine who aspired to become a police officer, had earlier apologized and said he would never again place himself in a position where violence might happen.

“I was brought up to take my licks if I’ve done something wrong,” Sanchez told Orange County Superior Court Judge Anthony Rackauckas. “I humbly present myself to the court for that purpose.”

The judge acknowledged Sanchez’s “good personality” and the support from family and friends, but said the defendant knew he wasn’t supposed to have a gun, and used it more quickly than needed.

Sanchez had previously been arrested for carrying an illegal gun and had been put on notice that the wasn’t supposed to carry one in public without a permit, Deputy Dist. Atty. Jim Tanizaki said.

Maurice Paul Bourg was shot once in the chest on Dec. 11, 1995, outside his home on Via Norte Circle after getting into an argument with the exotic dancer he had hired for a “show,” which included nude dancing, but not sex, according to a pre-sentencing report.

The confrontation was sparked when the dancer came out of Bourg’s room and told Sanchez--her bodyguard and boyfriend--that she was being roughed up, according to testimony.

Sanchez maintained he fired in self-defense when Bourg, 37, followed them outside and pulled what he thought was a gun. It turned out to be a pepper spray canister.

Sanchez, who fled with the dancer, leaving her purse behind, was arrested soon after by police. He and the victim had argued a week earlier when the dancer had arrived for a show that was canceled, according to the pre-sentencing report.

Sanchez contended it was impossible for him to get a permit for his gun, which he said he needed to protect himself and the dancers from often aggressive clients.

Members of the victim’s family told authorities they were disappointed when a jury in April found Sanchez guilty of voluntary manslaughter, not murder.