Man convicted in Pomona killing sentenced to more than 100 years
Photo: Michael McKee and his girlfriend Julie Finneran (from MySpace).
POMONA - A man convicted of first-degree murder for the shooting death of 30-year-old Michael McKee was sentenced this afternoon to more than a century in prison.
Before Louis Wilson, 34, was sentenced in Pomona Superior Court, seven of McKee's family members and friends spoke in court, lamenting McKee's loss and blasting his alleged killer.
"I would have died for Michael," said McKee's sister, Catherine McKee. "I would have given anything to save him that night."
McKee was shot six times - with three bullets hitting his head - as he sat in his car on Dec. 6, 2008 in the 2500 block of South Virginia Avenue in Pomona.
During Wilson's trial last month, prosecutors accused him of targeting McKee, of Pomona, because he believed McKee molested his best friend's young daughter, and because McKee's girlfriend rebuffed his sexual advances.
One of McKee's family members said in court today that the molestation allegations, which police investigated without bringing charges, were false.
"We know Michael," Lance Townley said. "He genuinely cared for all children."
In his trial testimony, Wilson said he was with McKee during the shooting, but he denied he was responsible. He said a man he didn't recognize opened fire after shouting that he was avenging the alleged molestation by McKee.
One of Wilson's friends who attended his sentencing hearing said afterward that she believes Wilson is innocent.
"I think this is wrong," said Christina Salaz, who said she's known Wilson for 15 years. "I don't think he's that kind of person."
"They make him out to be like an animal or something," said Salaz, 31, of Rancho Cucamonga. "That's not him."
Prior to sentencing Wilson to 107 years to life in prison, Judge Robert Martinez told the frequent lawbreaker - he has served four prior prison terms - that Wilson has wasted his life due to his "disastrous" actions.
"Your bullet didn't stop at Michael McKee," Martinez said. "It continued and it injured multiple people. You wounded many."
Wilson's only statements in court came with Martinez asked him his age, and asked whether he had any children. Wilson said he had none.
Martinez told Wilson that because of McKee's killing, Wilson will never have the opportunity to become a father, to wed, or to see his children marry.
"All that you're going to miss because you blew it," Martinez said. "And why?"
TODAY JUSTICE WAS SERVED , I SAT IN THAT COURT ROOM AND WATCHED THE MONSTER COME IN THAT KILLED MY NEPHEW MICHAEL , NO REMORSE , JUST A COLD BLOODED KILLER , HE GOT WHAT HE DESERVED TODAY , FAMILY GOT UP THERE AND TALKED ABOUT THE LOSS OF MICHAEL THE PAIN THE GRIEF HE PUT UPON US ALL THE DAY HE KILLED MICHAEL AND EVERYDAY AFTER AND EVERYDAY FROM NOW ON , POOR LIL BABY LOUIS WILSON HE GOT LIFE IN PRISON , WELL GUESS WHAT LOUIS WILSON ? WE HAVE A LIFE SENTENCE TOO, A LIFE SENTENCE WITHOUT MICHAEL IN IT A LIFE OF GRIEF , LOSS , SADNESS , HIS FRIEND CHRISTINA SALAZ SAID HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT HE IS INNOCENT , WAKE UP STUPID GIRL YOU DID NOT KNOW HIM AS WELL AS YOU THOUGHT YOU DID , I SAT THERE LISTENING TO HIS LONG HISTORY OF CRIME AFTER CRIME , HE COMMITTED , I BET HE HAS KILLED BEFORE , BUT NEVER GOT CAUGHT , I HOPE HE ROTS AWAY SLOWLY IN PRISON AND LIKE MICHAELS BROTHER KENNY SAID I HOPE EVERY TIME HE CLOSES HIS EYES HE SEE'S MICHAEL I HOPE HE IS HAUNTED BY THE IMAGE OF MICHAEL BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID HE KILL MICHAEL THAT NIGHT IN DECEMBER 2008 , HE KILLED A LITTLE PIECE OF EVERYONE WHO LOVED MICHAEL , KNEW HIM
HE MURDERED MICHAEL AND HE MURDERED OUR HEARTS, TODAY WAS YOUR DAY MICHAEL WE LOVE YOU , MISS YOU EVERY MOMENT , EVERYDAY LOVE YOU AUNT DEBBIE
TODAY JUSTICE WAS SERVED , I SAT IN THAT COURT ROOM AND WATCHED THE MONSTER COME IN THAT KILLED MY NEPHEW MICHAEL , NO REMORSE , JUST A COLD BLOODED KILLER , HE GOT WHAT HE DESERVED TODAY , FAMILY GOT UP THERE AND TALKED ABOUT THE LOSS OF MICHAEL THE PAIN THE GRIEF HE PUT UPON US ALL THE DAY HE KILLED MICHAEL AND EVERYDAY AFTER AND EVERYDAY FROM NOW ON , POOR LIL BABY LOUIS WILSON HE GOT LIFE IN PRISON , WELL GUESS WHAT LOUIS WILSON ? WE HAVE A LIFE SENTENCE TOO, A LIFE SENTENCE WITHOUT MICHAEL IN IT A LIFE OF GRIEF , LOSS , SADNESS , HIS FRIEND CHRISTINA SALAZ SAID HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT HE IS INNOCENT , WAKE UP STUPID GIRL YOU DID NOT KNOW HIM AS WELL AS YOU THOUGHT YOU DID , I SAT THERE LISTENING TO HIS LONG HISTORY OF CRIME AFTER CRIME , HE COMMITTED , I BET HE HAS KILLED BEFORE , BUT NEVER GOT CAUGHT , I HOPE HE ROTS AWAY SLOWLY IN PRISON AND LIKE MICHAELS BROTHER KENNY SAID I HOPE EVERY TIME HE CLOSES HIS EYES HE SEE'S MICHAEL I HOPE HE IS HAUNTED BY THE IMAGE OF MICHAEL BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID HE KILL MICHAEL THAT NIGHT IN DECEMBER 2008 , HE KILLED A LITTLE PIECE OF EVERYONE WHO LOVED MICHAEL , KNEW HIM
HE MURDERED MICHAEL AND HE MURDERED OUR HEARTS, TODAY WAS YOUR DAY MICHAEL WE LOVE YOU , MISS YOU EVERY MOMENT , EVERYDAY LOVE YOU AUNT DEBBIE
At least Louis is still alive.
Dear Maggot,
You along with your friend louis can rot away together. Louis had NO family in court, Michael had 48 people there. Go ahead and say at least louis is still alive, really? Are you so lonely too? That empty inside? He was CONVICTED of MURDER. And you want to defend him? What is in it for you? What do you have to gain by being his friend? He offers you and society nothing. Nothing.
You fail to understand that Michael is Alive and Well in SOOO Many people's hearts'. He is more ALIVE than louis EVER WAS--and ever will be.
I feel pity for you maggot, you could do yourself a favor and find a real friend. A friend with family, and friends who treasure each other. Stop wasting your time on someone you may never even be able to touch.
I see that you care for a murderer, he is also a convicted kidnapper, he has numerous possesion of a deadly weapon charges (gun), he has been convicted of burglery, and many many others.... Are you a criminal too?
Dear Maggot,
You along with your friend louis can rot away together. Louis had NO family in court, Michael had 48 people there. Go ahead and say at least louis is still alive, really? Are you so lonely too? That empty inside? He was CONVICTED of MURDER. And you want to defend him? What is in it for you? What do you have to gain by being his friend? He offers you and society nothing. Nothing.
You fail to understand that Michael is Alive and Well in SOOO Many people's hearts'. He is more ALIVE than louis EVER WAS--and ever will be.
Do you realize that this is his SECOND STRIKE here in California. Do yourself a favor and move on, maybe get counseling. Just because he is going to die in prison does'nt mean you have to also. Life is too short and fragile. If you are a parent, would you feel the same if someone murdered your child? Or your Mom? The man that louis murdered was loved and adored by so many from so many different walks of life. You should be ashamed for defending him publically. However, i am sure that you are in love with him and love is definately blind, and you will defend him as long as you have to. Good luck with that and may God Bless you with healing.
Whatever you do maggot, take care of you. You are all that you will ever have