A Miami man sentenced to two consecutive life terms in the brutal slaying of his 11-year-old sister when he was just 14 will be spending less time behind bars.
Ronald Salazar, 24, wept as Judge Ellen Sue Venzer re-sentenced him to 40-years for the murder and rape of his 11 year old sister Stephanie Friday.
The same judge sentenced Salazar to life in prison without parole back in 2005, but a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which forbids that sentence for a juvenile, gave Salazar a break.
"Stephanie had written her mother two letters, on July 8th and one on July 12th 2005, recounting Ronald's threats to kill her, even including the exact date of her death," Judge Venzer said. "Despite this fact, Ronald did not receive any counseling."
Salazar, who was left behind in El Salvador when his family moved to the U.S., was 14 years old at the time of the crime. Judge Venzer based her ruling in part on Salazar's troubling childhood neglect.
"Judge Venzer is a very compassionate judge and she showed her compassion today," said Salazar's attorney, Herb Smith.
After serving 25-years, Salazar can also ask for a review of his case to determine whether Friday's sentence could be further reduced. Salazar's grandfather was in court Friday as he has been for every other hearing, but he left without talking to reporters.
Local
Salazar has already served 10-years in prison, so now, in 15 years, he can ask for a review of his sentence. By then, he'll be 40 years old.
