A judge sentenced two men Tuesday in the Bank of the West robbery and shootout in Stockton that claimed the life of a hostage two years ago.
Superior Court Judge Bernard Garber called the crime “one of the worst days in Stockton’s history.”
He sentenced 22-year-old Jaime Ramos to life in prison with no chance of parole, and his accomplice, 23-year-old Pablo Ruvalcaba, to 25 years to life, both charged with first-degree murder in the death of Misty Holt-Singh.
Misty’s husband Paul Singh says it was the first time he was able to face the two in court.
“It was tough knowing that they’re going to be living their lives whether it’s in prison but they’re still alive and they still get to live, whereas Misty is no longer with us,” says Singh.
The robbers took 3 hostages, led police on an hour-long chase, and two of the armed gunmen along with Misty died in a hail of police gunfire.
San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Robert Himmelblau says the death penalty was taken off the table for a guilty plea.
“There are some family members who are happy that it ended,” says Himmelblau. ”The fact that Mr. Ramos will never see the light of day was sufficient for us at this point.”
The Singh family is still pursuing a civil wrongful death suit against the City of Stockton.
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