KALAMAZOO (WKZO)– Victor Garay was just 15 when he shot a rival gang member, but his young age won’t protect him from a very adult sentence. Life without parole.
Yesterday Judge Alexander Lipsey made it clear he thought Victory Garay has earned it.
He says Garay showed little regard for human life when used a shotgun to kill 13-year old Michael Day, whom he regarded only as a rival gang member, and noted that Garay has shown very little remorse since the killing on Memorial Day last year.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that mandatory life without parole was “cruel and Unusual punishment” for a juvenile offender and unconstitutional. But they also said it is permitted if the Judge determines it is justifyable, and the youth is beyond redemption and rehabilitation.
Apparently Judge Lipsey believes he has met that standard in this case. It may very well be appealed just to see if other judges agree.
