Homicide Report > Updates on killings of Severa Madrona, 76, and Francisco Aguirre Jr., 31
Updates on killings of Severa Madrona, 76, and Francisco Aguirre Jr., 31
Readers contacting the Homicide Report have asked for updates on two homicides that took place over the last several years.
There have been significant developments in these cases, including arrests and a conviction.
On Sept. 18, 2007, Severa Madrona, a 76-year-old Filipina, was beaten while taking her daily morning walk in Gardena.
Witnesses said they saw a man fleeing the area after the assault. Police were called and Madrona was pronounced dead at the scene.
Soon after the incident, authorities released a sketch of a possible suspect. More than a month after Madrona was killed, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies arrested Thedward Candler, a 27-year-old black man, in connection with her death.
Candler was charged with murder involving special circumstances. The felony complaint alleges that Madrona's killing took place during the commission of other felonies: rape, sodomy and kidnapping. He was previously convicted of attempted robbery in 2000 and assault with a deadly weapon in 2001.
According to an official from the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, Candler is scheduled to begin his trial Jan. 14 in Torrance Superior Court. If convicted, Candler could be sentenced to death or face life without the possibility of parole.
Francisco Aguirre Jr., a 31-year-old Latino, was killed in a hit-and-run Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008, in San Pedro.
According to Los Angeles Police Department Det. Frank Weber, Aguirre and his friends were returning from a birthday celebration and had made a final stop at a 7-Eleven. Inside the store, a man got into a verbal confrontation with one of Aguirre's friends.
As Aguirre and his friends were returning to their limo bus, the man — who had been waiting in the parking lot — reversed his van and plowed through the group, injuring two people and dragging Aguirre from the lot and into the street. He died instantly.
Homicide detectives with the LAPD's Harbor Division arrested Samuel Pinto, a 36-year-old Latino, on suspicion of murder later that evening. Four days later, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office filed murder charges against Pinto.
Almost a year and a half after Aguirre was killed, Pinto pleaded no contest to one count of vehicular manslaughter and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm) causing great bodily injury.
He was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison, with 681 days credit for time served. Probation was denied on all charges.
— Sarah Ardalani
Top photo: Severa Madrona. Credit: DMV. Bottom photo: Francisco Aguirre Jr. Credit: Family
17 reader comments
Eight years for deliberately driving into the man? Justice denied!
Jan. 8, 2011 at 5 p.m.
@ Syscom3, This time I agree with you, JUSTICE DENIED!!!.
Jan. 9, 2011 at 12:39 a.m.
Only a coward would beat an elderly woman. I hope he gets his.
Jan. 9, 2011 at 3:37 a.m.
For that 27 year old the death penalty must imply ,other nations must think we have a disney world with letting culprits get away with murder like that..Good work LAPD as GPD and LACS departments..up to D.A. to ask death penalty our streets need to stay safe..
Jan. 9, 2011 at 8:24 a.m.
Only 8 yrs huh? I have to agree with Syscom on this one.
Jan. 9, 2011 at 11:38 a.m.
That's why we cry out "no justice no peace"
This is complete disrespect to this young man. Eight years are you kidding? His killer should be sentenced to death.
Jan. 9, 2011 at 2:06 p.m.
Keep in mind he got almost 2 years of time served! Shame
Jan. 10, 2011 at 12:10 p.m.
I have to agree with you this time syscom3! Justice denied!!! 8 yrs??? WOWWWWWWWWW.....
Jan. 10, 2011 at 12:17 p.m.
Are you serious 8 years???? I think everyone is shocked by this one. He intentionly ran over these ppl injuring 2 and dragging one onto the streets stuck under his car!!?? But yet a drunk driver who doesnt do it on purpose gets about the same amount or most of the time alot more time then 8 years plus he gots time served already....he got off easy......
Jan. 11, 2011 at 12:34 a.m.
Eight years wow what has the justice system come to this guy should of been charged with murder it was "lying in wait" there was premeditation here; he was waiting for them to come out and run them down this is just sad
Jan. 11, 2011 at 10:16 a.m.
Syscom3, now you are making sense. Sad that one only gets 8 years for killing someone. Murder is murder period and is should be 25 to life no exceptions....
Jan. 11, 2011 at 12:43 p.m.
8 years?what a joke.Somebody dropped the ball BIGTIME!!!a life for a life.
Jan. 11, 2011 at 5 p.m.
This sends a strong message to those who want to kill someone don't use a gun or knife, but instead use your vehicle and practically get away with murder. Once again, our judicial system at its best!
Jan. 12, 2011 at 11:27 a.m.
mike vic gets the world on his back for the dog fighting and that creep gets a slap on the wrists for killing a man
Jan. 13, 2011 at 1:07 a.m.
a life for a life will only be justice.....prison systems is reward for them killer
Jan. 14, 2011 at 5:56 p.m.
someone did wrong
Jan. 15, 2011 at 7:39 a.m.
Voluntary manslaughter occurs either when the defendant kills with malice aforethought (intention to kill or cause serious harm), but there are mitigating circumstances which reduce culpability, or when the defendant kills only with an intent to cause serious bodily harm. Voluntary manslaughter in some jurisdictions is a lesser included offense of murder. The traditional mitigating factor was provocation; however, others have been added in various jurisdictions. Provocation: A killing which occurs after provocation by an event which would cause a reasonable person to lose self-control. There must not be a cooling off period negating provocation. If there is an interval between the provocation and killing sufficient to allow the passion of a reasonable person to cool, the homicide is not manslaughter, but murder
Jan. 17, 2011 at 11:37 a.m.
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