Woman’s Sentence in Killing Reduced

A 21-year-old Paramount woman convicted of second-degree murder in the robbery and killing of a German tourist in Santa Monica received a reduced sentence Tuesday after her attorney argued that she was “just a kid who got in over her head.”

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lance Ito changed the conviction of Roshana Roberts--one of three defendants convicted in the 1998 slaying--to voluntary manslaughter, citing her lesser role in the crime, her lack of a criminal record and her strong family support. He reduced her sentence to 13 years in prison.

If Roberts, the getaway driver in the crime, had been sentenced for murder, she would have received a prison term of 15 years to life, with no guarantee of ever being freed.

In reducing the conviction, Ito said, he was not trying to minimize the tragic death of Horst Fietze, 50, who was shot while walking to his hotel from the beach with his wife and two companions.

“This is still a very serious offense,” Ito said. “Mr. Fietze did die.”

Ito convicted Roberts and two others, Lamont Dion Santos, 23, and Tyrina Griffin, 20, in February after they waived their right to a jury trial.

Santos, who confessed to shooting Fietze, was convicted of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted robbery. Griffin, 20, of Los Angeles and Roberts were convicted of second-degree murder and three counts of attempted robbery.

In March, Ito sentenced Santos to 35 years to life and Griffin to 16 years to life.

Ito’s decision Tuesday came after Roberts tearfully addressed him in a soft voice, saying that she was deeply sorry for Fietze’s death.

“There’s nothing I can do to fix it,” she said, her faint voice drowned out by the sniffles of her family members. “I ask for compassion. . . . I put my life in your hands, judge.”

Prosecutors said Roberts drove the getaway car while her then-boyfriend and two others robbed and shot Fietze. Although Roberts did not attack the tourists or shoot Fietze, she could have been held equally responsible for his murder under California law.

Authorities are still searching for Roberts’ former boyfriend, Paul Carpenter, who vanished shortly after the murder. His capture could mean an even further reduction in Roberts’ sentence if she cooperates with prosecutors, said her attorney, Stuart Glovin.

The defense attorney had asked to schedule Roberts’ sentencing separately in hopes of distinguishing his client from co-defendants Santos and Griffin, gang members with criminal records. Glovin contends that Roberts, in the 11th grade at the time of the crime, was led astray by her boyfriend.

“I don’t think anybody can say with a straight face that they would expect Roshana Roberts will be back [in court],” Glovin said.

Glovin said later that he was pleased with Ito’s decision, although his client’s family was still saddened that she could spend another nine years behind bars.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Anthony Manzella opposed the reduction but said afterward that he agrees that Roberts would not have initiated the crime.

“I think Judge Ito was persuaded by sympathy and compassion,” Manzella said.

Manzella said he had not yet contacted Fietze’s widow, Astrid, in Germany, but he expects that she will be disappointed.

“I think Mrs. Fietze believes they [the defendants] should all suffer the harshest punishment,” he said.