Co-defendant in cop killer case takes plea deal
One of two men arrested and charged for the fatal shooting of an off-duty Los Angeles police captain near Gardena once again accepted a deal from prosecutors on Friday.
Orvis Anthony, 24, of Gardena, drove the car carrying Miguel Magallon, who used an AK-47 assault rifle to kill Capt. Michael Sparkes on Aug. 10, 2004, on Redondo Beach Boulevard near Compton during an attempted robbery.
A jury recommended the death sentence for Magallon for killing Sparkes, a veteran officer and father who headed security at County-Harbor UCLA Medical Center. He returns to Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 15 for sentencing.
Anthony had previously made a deal with prosecutors in which he would get 50 years in prison to life for testifying against Magallon.
He held up his end of the bargain at Magallon's preliminary hearing, then changed his mind before trial.
Anthony was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Friday in Compton Superior Court when he accepted the same deal - but this time he had to waive credit for the five years he's spent in custody, according to Deputy District Attorney Phillip Stirling.
Anthony must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Orvis Anthony, 24, of Gardena, drove the car carrying Miguel Magallon, who used an AK-47 assault rifle to kill Capt. Michael Sparkes on Aug. 10, 2004, on Redondo Beach Boulevard near Compton during an attempted robbery.
A jury recommended the death sentence for Magallon for killing Sparkes, a veteran officer and father who headed security at County-Harbor UCLA Medical Center. He returns to Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 15 for sentencing.
Anthony had previously made a deal with prosecutors in which he would get 50 years in prison to life for testifying against Magallon.
He held up his end of the bargain at Magallon's preliminary hearing, then changed his mind before trial.
Anthony was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Friday in Compton Superior Court when he accepted the same deal - but this time he had to waive credit for the five years he's spent in custody, according to Deputy District Attorney Phillip Stirling.
Anthony must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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