El Rio Man Sentenced in 1999 Slaying of Student
An El Rio man was sentenced Friday to 64 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a 17-year-old Rio Mesa student two days before Christmas in 1999.
Marcus Moralez showed no emotion as Ventura County Superior Court Judge Rebecca Riley sentenced him in the slaying of Frankie Miramontez, who was shot four times in the head, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Susan Aramesh.
The sentencing came after Miramontez’s mother, Maria, read a statement about how difficult life has been after the death of her only child, who had played football at Rio Mesa High School.
Moralez, 22, was found guilty in May of first-degree murder, street terrorism and related gang and weapons allegations.
According to court testimony, Moralez shot Miramontez with a small-caliber handgun after the victim gave the defendant and two other gang members a ride in his car. The motive for the killing was unclear, but Aramesh said prosecutors believe it was done to enhance Moralez’s gang status.
Miramontez was not a gang member.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
