March 2, 2007 – Sentencing

 

The sentencing hearing for Seima Moloi began a little before 10:AM today.

 

After acknowledging having received (and read) the probation report, the judge asked if the prosecution had anything they wished to add.  Howard let the judge know that Gary’s loved ones wished to be heard.  Gary’s mom went first, then his sisters and finally me.  Gary’s family also brought written statements from other family members who could not make the trip; Mark was going to read them allowed, but the judge instead chose to mark them as exhibits, and read them quietly to himself.

 

Note: My statements to the court and those of his family members (who wish to have them displayed) can be found in the Victim Impact Statements section of this website.

 

After we were finished, the defense attorney let the judge know that Moloi family wished to speak (Moloi, himself, chose to keep his mouth shut – this time).  Moloi dad, mom, sister and maternal grandfather spoke, still proclaiming their boys innocents, and how proud they were of him & how much they loved him.  Gary’s family kept control of themselves, but this really angered them (personally, I thought their statements were so absurd I had to fight to keep from rolling my eyes & snickering).

 

After they spoke, the judge asked if there was anything else.  Howard pointed out (from the probation report) the huge number of rules violations committed by Moloi while he was incarcerated, 32, and also how Moloi [when interviewed by the investigator compiling the report] laughed about Gary’s death, and how self obsessed/indulgent he came across as.  The defense attorney had nothing he wished to add.

 

The judge then addressed Moloi.  Three separate times, the judge described the evidence against Moloi as “overwhelming”.  He spoke about the pain that Moloi had caused, not only to Gary and his loved-ones, but to his own family.  He also said that with a record of personal conduct like his (i.e. the jail violations, his narcissism), Moloi was going to have a very tough time in prison.  It was then that the judge sentenced Seima Moloi to life in prison without possibility of parole.

 

An appeal is expected to filled, but not expected to be granted.  Where Moloi will serve his sentence will be determined by the California Department of Corrections at later date – once he is in their custody.  Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Seima Moloi will die in prison.