SATICOY : Killer, 18, Could Get No-Parole Life Term

A Ventura County Superior Court judge ruled Friday that convicted murderer Edward (Tony) Throop can be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

But it will be several months before Judge Allan L. Steele decides whether Throop, who shot and killed two Saticoy men during a drive-by shooting in April, actually deserves that punishment.

Throop, 18, was a juvenile when he and three other youths committed the drive-by shooting. Under the law, Steele must send him to the California Youth Authority for diagnosis before sentencing. Steele said he will order the diagnosis--expected to take three months--at a hearing Thursday.

While postponing the sentencing, Steele ruled Friday on a dispute that stemmed from voter approval of two initiatives last year. One measure, Prop. 114, did not change the penalties for juveniles convicted of especially heinous murders. Prop. 115, however, contained a provision making juveniles eligible for no-parole sentences.

Throop’s attorneys argued that the measures are in conflict, and they said Prop. 114 should prevail because it received more votes. Prosecutors insisted there was no conflict, and that the no-parole provision of Prop. 115 is valid. Steele agreed.

The attorneys and the judge all said the California Supreme Court will ultimately decide the issue. The high court has agreed to rule on a similar case from Orange County.

One of Throop’s co-defendants, Vincent Medrano, 16, also had a court appearance Friday. Superior Court Judge Frederick A. Jones ordered Medrano to undergo a CYA diagnosis and said he would be sentenced next year.