The courtroom photographs and proof had been so graphic and jolting at instances that jurors, observers and even the protection lawyer almost gagged.
The San Mateo County district lawyer’s workplace questioned whether or not any sentence could be sufficient for Redwood Metropolis resident Rafael “Rafa” Solano Landaeta. The 34-year-old was convicted in November of first-degree homicide after almost beheading his ex-girlfriend, a mom of two, with a samurai sword in entrance of neighbors in September 2022.
A county choose issued a most sentence — 26 years to life — on Tuesday, which supplied solace however not satisfaction for some.
“Although this was a most sentence for a first-degree homicide, we share the sentiment with the choose, which was that this was a savage and horrifying demise,” Sean Gallagher, chief deputy to the district lawyer, mentioned in a telephone name Tuesday. “That is somebody who ought to by no means be launched from jail, a vicious human being who’s a hazard.”
Solano Landaeta virtually decapitated Karina Castro, 27, mom of a daughter they shared, in the midst of a San Carlos road simply outdoors her residence on Sept. 8, 2022, police reviews say.
Castro ran for her life, in line with the district lawyer’s workplace, earlier than Solano Landaeta killed her in entrance of a number of witnesses. She had beforehand taken out a restraining order towards him.
The rationale behind the slaying has been disputed.
Gallagher labeled Solano Landaeta’s act as revenge after Castro posted some messages on social media that enraged him.
Solano Landaeta’s lawyer, Robert Cummings, mentioned his shopper’s actions had been attributable to a “schizophrenic break” due to an absence of treatment.
“He’s wanted psychological assist for years and wanted to be off the streets,” Cummings instructed The Instances on Tuesday. “He, sadly, is like lots of people who’re unchecked. The federal government, the state, must step in and deal with and monitor individuals like my shopper as a result of the general public, at massive, is at risk.”
Solano Landaeta did endure a psychological competency examination and was discovered match to face trial.
“Psychological well being had nothing to do with this case and couldn’t justify this demise,” Gallagher mentioned Tuesday. “He’s only a violent, vicious, controlling man who was completely sane on the time of the crime.”
Cummings confirmed that Solano Landaeta had bought the samurai sword not less than a decade earlier on Ebay, and that his household was unaware of its existence.
He mentioned the weird nature of the crime made Tuesday’s sentencing unsurprising.
“Finally, we’re taking a look at an act that occurred in the midst of the road in entrance of 4 individuals,” Cummings mentioned. “There’s no overcoming that.”
Cummings mentioned a number of members of the family spoke on behalf of Castro and towards Solano Landaeta throughout the sentencing part.
Solano Landaeta’s mom tried to talk on behalf of her son however the choose denied her request, in line with Cummings.
“The sentencing is what was anticipated,” Cummings mentioned. “There was no shock.”
Decide Lisa Novak mentioned throughout sentencing that the punishment “imposed simply doesn’t really feel enough for the crime,” in line with ABC7 San Francisco.
“This was traumatic for everybody concerned, for the officers and civilians who’re witnesses, and the jury,” Gallagher mentioned. “Everybody suffered.”
