Man Gets 40 to Life in Random Molotov Cocktail Attack

A Long Beach resident who threw a Molotov cocktail at a man standing outside a market, leaving him with serious burn injuries, was sentenced today to nearly 40 years to life in state prison.

Superior Court Judge Richard Romero denied the defense’s motion for a new trial for Jacob Timothy Lagarde, 30, who was convicted of one felony count each of attempted murder, explosion with intent to murder and explosion causing mayhem or great bodily injury, along with three counts of arson.

“This case is the epitome of random, senseless crime,” Deputy District Attorney Rachel Hardiman said last week, after the verdict was announced.

The charges stemmed from an Oct. 19, 2012, attack on a 54-year-old man who was waiting for his father outside a market in the 200 block of West Pacific Coast Highway.

Others in the area ran to the man’s aid and helped to put out the flames.

The victim suffered second- and third-degree burns to his legs and feet. He was in the hospital for about seven months and still needs more surgery, according to Hardiman.

Four days after the attack, Lagarde was arrested at an apartment complex in Long Beach by detectives acting on a tip. He has remained behind bars since then.

City News Service