BY MIKE CETERA
Angel "Doc" Luciano was a handyman and landlord who left the gang life behind. Or he was the "head lion" of a dangerous street gang who trained and poisoned the minds of his little cubs. Or he was both.
No matter what Luciano did after the murder of Willie Arce, he must go to prison to balance the scales of justice. This was the message handed down to the 56-year-old Aurora man on Tuesday as he was sentenced to 38 years in prison for the 1989 murder.
The question remains: Was justice served?
In ordering the prison term, Judge Grant Wegner acknowledged Luciano had made changes. But Luciano -- unlike some of the witnesses who testified against him -- received no credit for leaving the life.
"You did engage in some kind of change, but the change is too late," Wegner said.Luciano's attorney, John Paul Carroll, argued that Luciano had changed over the years, and "is not the same guy he was in 1989."
"He did not change because coppers were after him," Carroll said. "It's not revenge we're looking for here, it's justice."
Is it right to send Luciano to prison, while letting other guilty parties walk? Do the courts have to give a little to get a lot? Is Luciano guilty of being the biggest fish in the pond? In the end, are Aurora residents safer with Luciano tucked away somewhere?
These are the questions we must all ask before determining if justice has been served.
What other guilty parties have walked, Mike? Without evidence, there is no conviction.
The second question makes no sense without context.
Doc is guilty of murder. And he has another murder charge pending. Apologies and the like do not erase the murder Doc committed, not to mention all of the lives young Doc corrupted while trying to support his own drug habit. Plus, you seem to suggest that Willie Arce's family does not deserve justice. Doc owes a debt to society for his years and years of criminal activity in Aurora. He has served lots of time behind bars for drugs and weapons. He really showed no remorse until the law caught up with him. He's 50 years old and bought a $300,000 house with $5,000 down. He still uses illegal drugs.
You really need to spend some time in the courtroom, Mike. You clearly lack an understanding of how the justice system works. And justice.
Why is it that we haven't heard about the dismissed and over turned indictments? Do the research for yourself. Some of these cases will never see a courtroom or a trial or even a jury because they have ALREADY been DISMISSED! (Most recently, today!) Not because there was a lack of evidence or even a questionable witness, but because the state KNOWINGLY falsely accused this man from the very beginning. But I suppose we'll never hear of those cases. You'll never see that on the front page of your website or newspaper? You delusion the people by these stories of triumph with a conviction when really the only triumph is another innocent man will be coming home soon!
CETERA REPLIES:
Is this the case you are referring to? If not, let us know whose charges were dropped, and I can assure you we'll write a story.