Brisenia Flores Murderer Given 65 Years In Addition to Death Penalty

I’m not sure how this works in the practical world, but in the halls of justice (and even symbolism) it’s a big deal.

Shawna Ford, 49, who was sentenced to death in Tucson, Arizona, for the murder of nine year-old Brisenia Flores and her father Raul Junior Flores, 29, has been sentenced to an additional 65 years in prison. Ford was found guilty in February on two counts of first degree murder.

Accrording to The Arizona Daily Star

The Floreses died May 30, 2009, after Junior Flores let a couple pretending to be law enforcement officers into his home in Arivaca. Gonzalez testified she and Junior, her husband of 13 years, were shot after he expressed doubts about their identity.

The gunman assured Brisenia he wasn’t going to shoot her, but then shot her twice while she pleaded for her life, Gonzalez testified.

Prosecutors said that Ford masterminded the attack because she needed money to fund her border protection group, Minutemen American Defense. In addition to the murder’s, Ford was also charged and found guilty of

five burglary, aggravated assault and armed robbery counts. (Pima County Superior Court Judge John) Leonardo imposed 10 or 15 years on each of those counts and ran all but one of them consecutive to each other and consecutive to the death sentences.

Two accomplices were also arrested in the murders: Jason Bush was also found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to death, Albert Gaxiola is awaiting trial. He also faces the death penalty.

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