Mike Cruz
sbsun.com
FONTANA - A former chapter president of the Vagos motorcycle club was sentenced Wednesday to 75 years to life in state prison in connection with the 2003 killing of a man over the sale of a motorcycle. Keith Allen Silva, 48, the former president of the Berdoo Chapter was sentenced in the slaying of Dennis Daoussis before Judge Ingrid Uhler in Fontana Superior Court.
"We're very pleased with the outcome, especially considering that this a gang case in which an innocent person lost their life," Prosecutor John Thomas said, after the proceedings. "I think the sentence is appropriate."
Attorney Stuart O'Melveny said he will file a notice of appeal.
Sheriff's deputies say Daoussis, 34, was loaned $3,000 by Vagos member Sammy Langager to purchase a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Langager waited all night in the parking lot of an Ontario truck stop but Daoussis did not return.
Daoussis was later beaten by Vagos members at a home in unincorporated Fontana, bound and taken by pickup truck to the desert community of Landers, before being and shot in the head.
ATV riders found the victim's body on April 5, 2003, on Ming Road in Landers, according to sheriff's deputies.
Silva, of Covington, Ga., was arrested six years later and extradited to California to face charges.
In December 2010, he was found guilty of first-degree murder, torture and other allegations.
On Wednesday, the judge also denied
"We're very pleased with the outcome, especially considering that this a gang case in which an innocent person lost their life," Prosecutor John Thomas said, after the proceedings. "I think the sentence is appropriate."
Attorney Stuart O'Melveny said he will file a notice of appeal.
Sheriff's deputies say Daoussis, 34, was loaned $3,000 by Vagos member Sammy Langager to purchase a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Langager waited all night in the parking lot of an Ontario truck stop but Daoussis did not return.
Daoussis was later beaten by Vagos members at a home in unincorporated Fontana, bound and taken by pickup truck to the desert community of Landers, before being and shot in the head.
ATV riders found the victim's body on April 5, 2003, on Ming Road in Landers, according to sheriff's deputies.
Silva, of Covington, Ga., was arrested six years later and extradited to California to face charges.
In December 2010, he was found guilty of first-degree murder, torture and other allegations.
On Wednesday, the judge also denied
Silva's motion for a new trial, in which the defense alleged the defendant had received ineffective assistance of counsel. "The court gave me and my client a fair opportunity to hear the issues in the motion," O'Melveny said later, by telephone. He had reviewed 15 volumes of transcripts, including opening and closing statements. "Judge Uhler made a decision, and now it's up to the appellate courts," O'Melveny said.
A co-defendant in the case and driver of the pickup truck, sergeant-at-arms David Anthony Beltran was sentenced in May to 50 years to life in state prison.
Five members or former members of the Vagos were given immunity for their testimony, prosecutors said. Four of them had been at the house in Fontana when the victim was beat. At the time, Thomas said it was unusual and the only way prosecutors could put the case together.
Reach Mike via email, call him at 909-386-3880, or find him on Twitter at @sbcourts.
Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/breakingnews/ci_20021030#ixzz1nGrNQpyA
A co-defendant in the case and driver of the pickup truck, sergeant-at-arms David Anthony Beltran was sentenced in May to 50 years to life in state prison.
Five members or former members of the Vagos were given immunity for their testimony, prosecutors said. Four of them had been at the house in Fontana when the victim was beat. At the time, Thomas said it was unusual and the only way prosecutors could put the case together.
Reach Mike via email, call him at 909-386-3880, or find him on Twitter at @sbcourts.
Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/breakingnews/ci_20021030#ixzz1nGrNQpyA