LOS ANGELES — One of two gang members convicted last month of the 2005 murders of two men at the Santa Monica Moose Lodge was sentenced to prison Friday.
Deputy District Attorney Alan Schneider of the Hardcore Gang Division said Erick Nunez, 24, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 75 years to life.
Nunez and co-defendant Jose Mojarro, also 24, were convicted March 4 of two counts each of first-degree murder. Mojarro was ordered to return for sentencing on May 20. He also faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
On March 5, 2005, victim Jonathan Hernandez was attacked by Mojarro and Nunez while at a party. Prosecutors allege that Mojarro drew a firearm when a second victim, Hector Bonilla, attempted to assist Hernandez by throwing a chair at the three assailants.
At that point, it is alleged that a third man, William “Willie” Vasquez, also drew a handgun. Vasquez and Mojarro were accused of firing 26 rounds at the unarmed victims. Vasquez is yet to stand trial for the murders of Hernandez and Bonilla and is charged with three other gang-related murders.
In January 2006, defendant Nunez was wanted on an arrest warrant for the Santa Monica Moose Lodge murders when he attempted to flee from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies, shot an AK47 at them, and took a family hostage during the pursuit. Nunez was convicted in that case two years ago and was sentenced to 194 years to life in state prison.
The sentence imposed Friday will run consecutive to his multiple life sentences.
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