Sister hurls obscenities during sentencing of brother’s accused killer
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — As she addressed her brother’s alleged killer in court Thursday, a woman shouted, “I f—— hate you m———–,” prompting a Superior Court judge to cut her off and warn against further obscenities.
Ray Anthony Torres, 22, smirked at her remarks. He kept that look on his face when another sister told him she hopes one of his family members is killed so he can experience grief similar to what he’s brought to her family.
Following their comments, Judge Eric Bradshaw sentenced Torres to 21 years in prison.
Torres pleaded no contest in March to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of Joel Santos Maldonado at North Kern Cemetery. A charge of first-degree murder was dismissed.
In pleading no contest, Torres, without admitting guilt, agreed there’s enough evidence for the prosecution to prove their case.
A crucial piece of evidence was a bottle of Budweiser witnesses said was left by the gunman when he shot the 30-year-old Maldonado the evening of Feb. 5, 2021.
Investigators tested the bottle and found Torres’ DNA on it, according to court documents.
Surveillance video shows the shooter running from the cemetery, documents said. A probation officer who examined the footage said the gunman strongly resembled Torres, who had been part of his caseload, according to the reports.
Investigators then examined a DMV photo that showed Torres with two white metal earrings in each ear — just like the gunman — and a slight slant to the left side of his lips that was noticeable in footage of the shooter, documents said.
Torres is an admitted gang member and there were photos of him on social media making hand gestures and wearing clothing associated with Delano northern gangs, the reports say. Maldonado was wearing colors associated with southern gangs at the time he was shot, according to the documents.
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