Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for 2007 Altadena Shooting

A woman who admitted her involvement in the shooting death of her son's uncle in Altadena  in 2007 during a confrontation over custody of the boy, was sentenced on Monday to 15 years in prison.

Vanessa Ochoa, 27, was one of two women charged in the killing of Monroe "Monty'' Miles, 32, on March 18, 2007, after which she fled to Las Vegas with her son.

Ochoa pleaded guilty to manslaughter, kidnapping and child endangerment, and testified .  She had agreed to a deal with prosecutors in 2010 to plead guilty to the charges.

Dean accompanied Ochoa to the home of Miles' parents retrieve Ochoa's son. After leaving the home with the boy, Dean fired a gun at Miles as they were trying to drive away. 

Dean was convicted last month of second-degree murder, kidnapping, and child endangerment.  She is scheduled to be in court on Wednesday for sentencing.  Her lawyer told Patch last month she intends to appeal the conviction.  

For more on the case, please read these Altadena Patch stories: