Killer Of Gang Foe, 4-Year-Old Girl Gets 2 Life Prison Sentences

WATSONVILLE, CA — Michael Angelo Escobar, 36, was sentenced to two life in prison sentences Thursday, KION reported, after Santa Cruz County Superior Court jurors found him guilty in December of first-degree murder in the deaths of 4-year-old Jaelyn Zavala and rival gang member Ramon Rendon, 33, after a 2014 shooting outside of the Fish House Bar & Grill in Watsonville.

Prosecutors played security camera footage of the shooting and 911 calls during the trial, The Santa Cruz Sentinel previously reported. Escobar's attorney acknowledged he was guilty of second-degree murder and lesser crimes, but asked the jury to find him not guilty of first-degree murder.

Read: Watsonville Murder Trial: Closing Arguments Begin

The jury also found him guilty of charges related to participating in criminal gang activity, assault with a semi-automatic rifle, resisting or deterring an officer and conspiracy. Escobar was found to have committed numerous special allegations, which can be tacked onto a charge to enhance a punishment, for multiple counts of murder, committing a street gang act, causing great bodily injury with a firearm and more, court records show.

Read: Watsonville Man Murdered 4-Year-Old And Gang Rival, Jury Finds

"This has been one of the most heartbreaking cases that has impacted our entire community, but more importantly, the victims’ families who have had to endure this for the last five years," the Watsonville Police Department wrote. "We know there isn’t a sentence high enough to erase the pain these families are feeling. We continue to have the families in our thoughts and prayers."

Judge Timothy Volkmann handed down the sentence. Escobar plans to appeal the verdict, KION reported.

More news from Santa Cruz County:

• Man killed in industrial accident
• Fireman struck by gunfire honored
• Gang members arrested traffic stop, police say