LA man sentenced in child torture-murder case

Friday December 13, 2002

LOS ANGELES (AP) A man was sentenced Friday to 25 years to life for the torture and murder of a 4-year-old boy who prosecutors said was struck hundreds of times as punishment for soiling his pants.

Jose Cruz, 25, apologized in Van Nuys Superior Court but questioned the length of his sentence, saying there was no premeditation or intent in the death of his girlfriend's son, Richard Mendez.

``In my heart, I feel I didn't get a fair trial,'' he said.

Cruz was convicted of murder, assault and torture in the death of the boy on May 24, 2001.

During the four-day trial, jurors were told that Cruz was baby-sitting the victim when the beating occurred. The boy's mother testified that Cruz called her at work to tell her that he had hit the boy.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)