hell maybe even the world.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_11538140
fuck what you heard it don't get no more gangsta than this
Killer taunts Pinole victims' families as he's sentenced to life
By Malaika Fraley
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 01/23/2009 12:50:14 PM PST
Updated: 01/23/2009 05:43:07 PM PST
MARTINEZ — Friends and family of two young men shot dead in a Pinole park in 2005 cried, gasped and shook with anger Friday as the killer taunted them at a court hearing where a judge sent him to prison for life.
"If God didn't want to take your kids to heaven, they would still be here," Daniel Ruiz, 28, told the courtroom filled with more people than seats. "Get over it."
Ruiz pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder for killing David Gregory, 18, of Hercules, and Darren Kretchmar, 21, of Pinole, at Fernandez Park on July 30, 2005. He pleaded guilty to attempted murder for wounding Richard Male, of Pinole, and to an enhancement that the crimes were committed for the benefit of a street gang.
Police said the victims were innocent bystanders Ruiz killed because they wore red shirts, the color of a rival gang. His guilty plea enabled him to avoid trial and a possible death penalty conviction.
Friends and relatives of Gregory and Kretchmar spoke at the hearing of the great loss and devastation that Ruiz has caused. Both were described as kind and thoughtful young men on the verge of making lives for themselves. Gregory had just graduated from high school nine days earlier.
The men were waiting in the park for a ride to a party in San Francisco when they were approached by Ruiz, who mistakenly thought they were rival gang members.
Gregory's mother said her son's last words were, "Wait, no, it's not like
that." Kathleen Gregory said, "I can't believe someone was so heartless to kill two young kids over a stupid color."
Turning to Ruiz, she said, "I hope you rot in hell."
"Ha, ha, ha, thanks Mrs. Gregory," Ruiz answered.
When allowed to make his own statement, he apologized to his own family but showed no remorse for the killings. No statement was made by Teresita Rodriguez, 23, who pleaded guilty to being an accessory in the shooting. She was sentenced Friday to three years probation and a three-year suspended prison sentence.
Ruiz said he is happy and looking forward to a life in prison that would be safer than if he stayed in West County.
"I can still see my kids grow up," Ruiz said. —This is almost a gift to me. God bless me, I'm alive and well."
Someone in the audience shouted: "You should be dead."
The killing had a big impact on the city of Pinole, which launched neighborhood watch groups and a citizens committee on public safety in the months that followed. City Manager Belinda Espinosa said it opened Pinole residents' eyes to a reality that they read about in other communities and liked to think did not exist in theirs.
"That incident caused us to rise up on our feet and take action," Espinosa said. "I remember that day; it was so coldblooded; it was horrible."
Staff writer Tom Lochner contributed to this story. Reach Malaika Fraley at
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_11538140
fuck what you heard it don't get no more gangsta than this
Killer taunts Pinole victims' families as he's sentenced to life
By Malaika Fraley
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 01/23/2009 12:50:14 PM PST
Updated: 01/23/2009 05:43:07 PM PST
MARTINEZ — Friends and family of two young men shot dead in a Pinole park in 2005 cried, gasped and shook with anger Friday as the killer taunted them at a court hearing where a judge sent him to prison for life.
"If God didn't want to take your kids to heaven, they would still be here," Daniel Ruiz, 28, told the courtroom filled with more people than seats. "Get over it."
Ruiz pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder for killing David Gregory, 18, of Hercules, and Darren Kretchmar, 21, of Pinole, at Fernandez Park on July 30, 2005. He pleaded guilty to attempted murder for wounding Richard Male, of Pinole, and to an enhancement that the crimes were committed for the benefit of a street gang.
Police said the victims were innocent bystanders Ruiz killed because they wore red shirts, the color of a rival gang. His guilty plea enabled him to avoid trial and a possible death penalty conviction.
Friends and relatives of Gregory and Kretchmar spoke at the hearing of the great loss and devastation that Ruiz has caused. Both were described as kind and thoughtful young men on the verge of making lives for themselves. Gregory had just graduated from high school nine days earlier.
The men were waiting in the park for a ride to a party in San Francisco when they were approached by Ruiz, who mistakenly thought they were rival gang members.
Gregory's mother said her son's last words were, "Wait, no, it's not like
that." Kathleen Gregory said, "I can't believe someone was so heartless to kill two young kids over a stupid color."
Turning to Ruiz, she said, "I hope you rot in hell."
"Ha, ha, ha, thanks Mrs. Gregory," Ruiz answered.
When allowed to make his own statement, he apologized to his own family but showed no remorse for the killings. No statement was made by Teresita Rodriguez, 23, who pleaded guilty to being an accessory in the shooting. She was sentenced Friday to three years probation and a three-year suspended prison sentence.
Ruiz said he is happy and looking forward to a life in prison that would be safer than if he stayed in West County.
"I can still see my kids grow up," Ruiz said. —This is almost a gift to me. God bless me, I'm alive and well."
Someone in the audience shouted: "You should be dead."
The killing had a big impact on the city of Pinole, which launched neighborhood watch groups and a citizens committee on public safety in the months that followed. City Manager Belinda Espinosa said it opened Pinole residents' eyes to a reality that they read about in other communities and liked to think did not exist in theirs.
"That incident caused us to rise up on our feet and take action," Espinosa said. "I remember that day; it was so coldblooded; it was horrible."
Staff writer Tom Lochner contributed to this story. Reach Malaika Fraley at
