Fresno man sentenced for two slayings. He’s a ‘monster’ who ‘destroyed lives,’ say families
A Fresno man with a long criminal history was sentenced Wednesday to 36-years-to-life in state prison for killing two men.
Abel Tello Sr., 47, hung his head as Judge Samuel Dalesandro called him a serious danger to society.
Police said Tello shot and killed 45-year-old Anthony Romero, who was found dead inside his residence at the North Park Apartments on Backer Avenue, south of Shaw Avenue, on June 28, 2020.
The case remained unsolved for a little more than a year before Tello was arrested for the Sept. 1, 2021 killing of 43-year-old Michael Hartley at the Palace Inn motel near Parkway and Belmont avenues.
Although Tello was originally charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of voluntary manslaughter, he agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors.
In exchange for pleading no contest to second-degree murder in the Hartley case and voluntary manslaughter of Romero, Tello agreed to the sentence of 36-years-to-life.
Families express anger, sadness
About a dozen family members of the slain men attended Wednesday’s sentencing hearing. They spoke about the pain, anger and sadness they feel about the loss of their loved ones.
“You are a monster who does not deserve to live,” said Anthony’s mother, Susie Romero. “For whatever reason you chose to take his life and you destroyed our lives.”
Other relatives and friends remembered Romero as a loving man who cared for family and was known for his laugh and smile.
His nephew, Joe Romero, said that as much as he wants to hate Tello, his faith in God tells him otherwise. “I have to forgive you because my God says so,” Joe Romero said.
Romero said he hopes Tello never has to go through the pain his family is experiencing. “I pray the Lord has mercy on you,” he said. “And I pray that during your time in prison you find him (God).”
Michael Hartley Jr. said Tello robbed him of his chance to get to know his father. The elder Hartley was in prison for the first 18 years of his son’s life.
“I only knew my dad for five years,” Michael Hartley Jr. said. “I never got the chance to have a dad.”
Hartley said he takes some comfort knowing that because of his dad’s death, the Romero family discovered who killed their father
“Your prior convictions are numerous and you have served a prison term,” the judge said. “And your time on parole and probation was previously unsatisfactory.”
Judge Dalesandro thanked the families for attending the hearing, adding that he was moved by their statements.
“I hope that when you leave here you can begin the healing process,” the judge said. “And remember this defendant is serving a life term. I wish you all peace going forward.”
