Fresno mass murderer skips victims’ families’ testimony. Here’s what they had to say
Convicted killer Kori Ali Muhammad, who gunned down four people in 2017, was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Judge Jonathan Conklin had delayed Muhammad’s sentencing by two weeks to allow the victims’ family and friends to speak at the sentencing. Muhammad chose not to be in the courtroom Friday during that portion of the hearing.
But his absence didn’t appear to matter to the 15 people who spoke in support of their loved ones Friday morning, sharing tearful and gut-wrenching testimony.
During his trial, Muhammad told investigators he was looking to kill white men the day he found three of his victims. The jury convicted Muhammad on April 22 of first degree murder in the death of David Jackson, 58, who was fatally shot on April 18, 2017 outside of Catholic Charities on Fulton Street. Muhammad’s two other victims that day were Mark Gassett, 37, and Zackary Randalls, 34.
Muhammad was found guilty of second degree murder for the killing of security guard Carl Williams III, 25, at a Motel 6 in central Fresno five days earlier.
His defense team has alleged Muhammad has a long history of mental illness.
Back in court Friday, Muhammad, 41, reacted with little emotion during his sentencing before Conklin. The judge allowed Muhammad to speak prior to sentencing, and he repeated his calls about reparations for black people, the destruction of the U.S. and racial injustice.
Conklin, who has been patient with Muhammad’s outbursts, told him the only change he’s created is destroying the lives of his victim’s friends and family.
“But your ability to impact any more lives ends today, it ends now and it ends here,” Conklin said.
Victims’ loved ones testify
Williams’ fiance Wendy Lo described her partner as respectful, devoted and hardworking. He was working two jobs to help build their future life.
Williams had recently been promoted to assistant manager at the Toys “R” Us while also working as a security guard.
Speaking through tears, Lo said she suffers from depression, anger and anxiety over the loss of Williams.
“We were going to buy a house at the end of the year, get married and start a family,” she said. “But my future with Carl was stolen.”
Katie Randalls said the death of her husband Zackary has been especially hard on her two children, who were ages 3 and 4 when their father was killed. Both have mentioned wanting to see their father again.
Recently, her daughter told her she wished she was there the day he was shot.
“She said she wished she had died with daddy, so she could be with him,” Randalls said.
Death penalty off table
Muhammad was originally facing the death penalty. But he and his attorneys Richard Beshwate Jr. and Antonio Alvarez agreed to withdraw his not guilty by reason of insanity plea in exchange for life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Prosecutor Kelly Smith chastised Muhammad for his callousness and cold-blooded nature of the killings. He also reminded the judge that Muhammad has not expressed remorse for his crimes.
“The pain and destruction this man has wrought is generational,” Smith said. “These families will be feeling this for years to come and I want my and the people’s position to be very clear: If the laws of this state were to ever change, that Mr. Muhammad never be given the chance for parole.”
