Palm Springs Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murder

INDIO – Cesar Santamariamuniz nervously played with his shackles shortly before Judge James Hawkins decided his fate in an Indio courtroom Monday.

Santrmariamuniz was handed a prison term of 99 years to life for the 2007 murder of Jordan Ketchersid and the kidnapping of three other people.

The known drug dealer pleaded for a retrail moments before sentencing.

“Everybody makes mistakes, and I feel the jury made a mistake by finding me guilty of all charges,” Santamariamuniz said to the court.

Santamariamuniz cited police and jury misconduct.But the prosecution and defense both disagreed and so did Judge Hawkins who denied the request.

“I don’t hear you saying that your brother is a good person,” said the Hon. Hawkins. “All I hear you saying is, and your mother, is that the police are bad.”

“No, the real killer’s gonna be behind bars for 99 years and 4 months to life. His name is Cesar Santamariamuniz. The evidence in this casecould not be anymore overwhelming,” prosecutor Antonio Fimbres said.

Police found Ketchersid’s body on a Palm Springs sidewalk with a bullet in his back.It’s believed Santamariamuniz was looking for a stolen lockbox with drugs, guns and money.

Ketchersid’s brother read a statement from their mother shortly after the sentencing.

“I don’t believe this person should ever be up for parole in his lifetime,” Dameon Ketchersid said.”I think that if he ever gets out that he will hurt others as he cannot be capable of remorse.”

Santamariamuniz is eligible for a parole hearing in 99 years. Meanwhile, his attorney has already started the appeal process.