Ernesto Alcarez, 25, showed no remorse as he listened to the judge sentence him to 238 years to life in prison for the murder of Cheryl Green. Green, 14, was standing with a group of neighborhood kids in the Harbor Gateway area when she was fatally shot in December 2006.
Alcarez, a known gang member, was convicted of one count of second-degree murder for the killing of Green, and seven counts of attempted murder for the others who were with Green that day.
Judge Stephen Marcus called Alcarez a minor player in the crime, adding the racially motivated shooting was an attempt to send a message.
"He was trying to create fear in the neighborhood and do a racial crime by shooting at as many people as possible so as to create this impact in the neighborhood that 'Our gang is the toughest, baddest gang,'" said Judge Stephen Marcus.
Last year, Alcarez's co-defendant, Jonathan Fajardo, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for Green's murder.
Thursday the judge asked Alcarez if he wanted to say anything on his own behalf. Alcarez said no.
"You'll have a lot of time to think about the victims, and especially the most significant victim in this case, Cheryl Green, who lost her life at an age when most people, most children, most teenagers are looking forward to life. It really is a terrible crime."
