Victims' Families Exchange Words With Murderer As He Gets Life In Prison
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Updated: 8:42 PM Nov 19, 2009
Victims' Families Exchange Words With Murderer As He Gets Life In Prison
Colorado Springs
Jomar Dionisio Falu-Vives has been found guilty on all counts, including two counts of first degree murder, for randomly shooting and killing two people in Colorado Springs and shooting and badly injuring another. He was sentenced Thursday to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Posted: 10:38 PM Nov 18, 2009
Reporter: KKTV 11 News
Email Address: news@kktv.com
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Jomar Dionisio Falu-Vives has been found guilty on all counts, including two counts of first degree murder, for randomly shooting and killing two people in Colorado Springs and shooting and badly injuring another.

The jury reached a verdict on the first day of deliberation. He was found guilty Wednesday and sentenced Thursday to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

"Mr. Vives has has earned every single year in both of his life sentences," said prosecutor Diana May. " He deserves to die in prison."

Falu-Vives also received max sentences in the attempted murders of two of his fellow soldiers. "He got what he deserved," said Dave Szody, father of Zach Szody, one of Vives' victims who lived.

In court on Tuesday, Falu-Vives appeared emotional as he smeared away tears from his swollen red eyes. During his verdict reading Wednesday, he sat still and showed no emotion.

On Thursday, family members of the victims pleaded to the judge to give Falu-Vives the maximum sentence. Their plea; a soldier should be protecting the country, not harming innocent civilians on U.S. soil. Falu-Vives shot back at those comments during his final plea to the judge before sentencing: "I'm a soldier," said Vives as he looked straight at the victim's families. "I'll always be a soldier."

But after the sentence was handed down, Dave Szody had his own reaction to that statement. "He is not a soldier in any Army we recognize. That's all I have to say."

This all stems from an incident in the summer of 2008, two random shootings, two weeks apart. Both happened on the southeast side of Colorado Springs, both within blocks of each other.

During the first drive-by, 26-year-old Zachary Szody, a Fort Carson soldier, was hit twice while walking home from a party. He survived. His mother talked with 11 News after the verdict was read, "I just want to thank the prosecution team, and the jury for spending such a long time and I know it wasn't easy for any of them," said Valarie Szody.

But the next two victims, 20-year-old Cesar Ramirez Ibanez and 18-year-old Amairany Cervantes, wouldn't make it. The two were hanging up yard sale signs when Falu-Vives made them the random victims of his AK47 machine gun. Natalie Cervantes, Amairany's sister and Cesar's girlfriend, said "I just want to say thank you to Diana, Detective Pratt and everybody who was helping us."

Homicide investigators would find an AK47 inside Falu-Vives' apartment. Tests later confirmed shell casings found at both crime scenes were a perfect match to his weapon.

The defense claimed Falu-Vives was never alone. They said he was not even the one who pulled the trigger. They claimed his gangster friends did it and then pointed their fingers at "the odd man out", Falu-Vives.

Twenty-one-year-old Rodolfo Torres-Gandarilla testified against Falu-Vives and pleaded guilty to accessory to the double murder and attempted murder. He was sentenced in April and got 12-years in jail.


Latest Comments

Posted by: ted Location: colorado springs, co. on Jan 18, 2010 at 08:50 PM

Isabel, I understand that it is tough to think that someone you know is guilty of murder. However everything Adam said was true. By the way veterans are treated much better than when they returned from Vietnam, so don't go down that path. You have to look at the evidence and realize that Jomar is guilty and stop rationalizing his behavior. I hope you will come to the realization that he is guilty and move on. I hope you can put him behind you. Ted
Posted by: isabel Location: killeen texas on Jan 5, 2010 at 10:26 PM

all my respect goes to the ones that lost their loved ones,in this tragedy.But in the same way i have to let people know about jomar falu vives.I cant imagine him doing these things that hes being accused of.i know him like a good son,a good friend,and a good father.i respectful young man.tragedies happen and for him it started when he came back form iraq defending our freedom.he didnt have a good welcoming back.Its so easy for people to judge when they dont know the people that were involved,But i know this man.its been like a nigntmare that we all want to wake up from.we all have losts.jomar i just pray for you and your mother,and hope that the truth comes out so you can be set free.dont lose hope!my family will always love you and we will always believe in you.
Posted by: adam Location: santa paula ca. on Dec 8, 2009 at 08:11 PM

Jeanette, think real hard about Jomar. If he wasn't guilty than why, after bringing his ak47 along for the shooting of my nephew. He didn't go to the authorities, no, instead he again brought his ak47 along for another ride and 2 people were killed. Yet he again did not go to the authorities. he dose'nt say anything. He is then caught with the murder weapon and pointed out as the shooter, and his defense is the other guy did it? Soldiers are suppose to fight for people who can't fight for themselves. Jomar did nothing and after he is caught I'm supposed to believe what this coward say's (excuse me what his attorney said) Jomar did not strike me as the type of person that would be afraid of stopping someone else from using his weapon to kill and wound other people. Wake up he is and always has been a scum bag. His col. mother bailed him out of trouble one too many times Now he has to answer to the man.
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