Kidnapping: January 2009 Archives

Torrance Superior Court Judge Hector Guzman explained that he was giving Elvin Worthey the maximum sentence he could because of a number of factors, including Worthy's criminal history and his "sinister" acts against a "helpless and unresisting victim."

Worthey was convicted of a slew of charges for breaking into a Torrance home, then confronting the resident who came home in the middle of the burglary. Worthey threatened the resident repeatedly with a gun, then took off with the car and valuables, including family heirlooms.

We'll have a full story, including the victim's statement to Guzman, later on dailybreeze.com.

Previous entries on Worthey are here.

Elvin Worthey Jr., who broke into a Torrance home and terrorized the resident who came home during the burglary, was not sentenced today as planned because the judge needed some time to read the prosecutor's sentencing brief. However, a "priors trial," where a judge is presented evidence about a convict's criminal past to determine if they are attributed to the right person for sentencing enhancements, was completed. Torrance Superior Court Judge Hector Guzman found Worthey, 26, did have prior convictions, state prison committments and strikes for attempted robbery, felony evading and auto theft.

While Worthey was not sentenced, Guzman did take a victim impact statement from his victim, which he can consider in determining the sentence. The victim said he testified about the things Worthey did to him - held a gun to his head execution-style, forced him under a bed, tied him up and stole family heirlooms - but he didn't get to previously say how all this made him feel. The bottom line is he will never feel safe again, and worries constantly about his family. Worthey listened to him speak, but seemed to be paying more attention to some family members in the audience.

He returns to court Jan. 13 for sentencing. I'll have a full story then.