Score One for the Good Guys

Today I had the opportunity to see the verdict in State v. Mauricio Chavez (2007CF16182), a case I saw some of the testimony in last week. Chavez was charged with 3 counts of Sexual Battery of a Child Younger than 12, Lewd/Lascivious Molestation of a Child Younger than 12, L/L Molestation of a Child 12 or older, and Battery. The jury found the defendant guilty on all counts. Assistant State Attorney Ryan Vescio requested that Judge Roger McDonald wait to sentence Chavez until the victims can make an impact statement tomorrow morning. The judge told Chavez that he will be sentencing him to LIFE in prison without the possibility of parole.

Even though the impact statements will not change Chavez' sentence because the law requires a life without parole sentence, I am glad that the law requires that a victim have the opportunity to make these statements if they so choose. I hope the girls and their mother will find the healing they need and they'll be able to move forward with their lives, knowing that this man can never hurt them again.