By Gracy Joslin
WOODLAND, CA – In Yolo County Superior Court Friday, the accused accepted a plea, knowing it will result in a 10-year prison sentence—but he charged he took the deal because of racially targeted harassment he is experiencing while in custody.
The accused is awaiting sentencing regarding multiple felonies related to pimping, pandering, assault with a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, sodomy by force and violence, threats of crime with intent to terrorize and the possession of metal knuckles.
At the beginning of the hearing regarding these charges, Deputy Public Defender Peter Borruso requested the case be moved to sentencing immediately, but Judge David Rosenberg and Deputy District Attorney Garrett Hamilton both disapproved.
Judge Rosenberg noted that “today is not a good day to sentence. It’s the largest calendar I have ever had with 110 cases. There is just no time available.”
PD Borruso requested that the case, rather than sentencing, enter into a plea immediately, which Judge Rosenberg permitted.
Following that, Judge Rosenberg gave the accused the chance to address the court in which he expressed, “I want to be sentenced as soon as possible.”
The accused then detailed the wrongful treatment he claims to face daily, noting that people have been spitting in his food and he is constantly being addressed by others with racial slurs.
The accused eventually ended by expressing “that’s what’s going on and no one’s doing nothing about it.”
Judge Rosenberg acknowledged the hardship the defendant is facing and apologized that the accused is having to go through it.
In the end, Judge Rosenberg reassured him that he is going to sentence him as soon as the law allows, thus within the next 20 court days.
