By Lookout Staff
April 27 -- A gang member has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for the gruesome slayings of two Santa Monicans gunned down at a party at the local Moose Lodge three years ago.
Erick Nunez, 24, was sentenced Friday in Los Angeles, three weeks after he was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances.
Co-defendant Jose Mojarro was also convicted of first-degree murder and is awaiting sentencing, while a third defendant -- William Vasquez, a 28-year-old Hispanic known as “Crook” -- is awaiting trial.
Prosecutors said Nunez and Mojaro, who also is a member of a gang, opened fire during a private party at the Moose Lodge at 1600 Ocean Park Boulevard on the night of March 5, 2005.
The two men fired 26 rounds and continuing shooting Hector Bonilla and Jonathan Hernandez as they lay dying. A third man sustained injuries after being shot in the leg by the spray of bullets. (“Coroner’s Report Details ‘Gang’ Slayings,” March 29, 2005)
Hernandez, a 19-year-old resident of Ocean Park was shot 17 times -- twice to the head and numerous times to the shoulder, back and upper and lower body -- by gunmen the two gunmen.
Bonilla, a 25-year-old resident of the Pico Neighborhood, was shot eight times, twice to the head, as he ran to Bonilla’s aid.
The shooting occurred when an argument broke out during the party.
At Friday's hearing, one victim's mother told Nunez that she will "pray every night that your life is filled with misery."
The attorney for Nunez argued the key witness changed his story several times.