A judge ruled on Friday that a California man will spend 40 years to life in prison after he killed a six-year-old in a fit of road rage.
Earlier this year, Marcus Eriz, aged 27, was found guilty of the murder of Aiden Leos.
On May 21, 2021, Aiden found himself sitting in the back seat of his mother’s car as they made their way to kindergarten. While traveling on State Route 55, Aiden’s mother, Joanna Cloonan, expressed her frustration at a driver in a Volkswagen who had rudely cut her off by flipping them off.
Eriz faced arrest just a fortnight later when the California Highway Patrol initiated a relentless pursuit of the shooter. Alongside, the police also apprehended Wynne Lee, the driver of the Volkswagen.
“The anguish felt by a mother who is desperately attempting to find any means to aid her young son as he approaches death is truly unbearable,” expressed Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer after the sentencing on Friday.
Eriz was convicted by a jury in January of second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and two felony enhancements of personally discharging a firearm that caused great bodily injury and death.
Superior Court Judge Richard King ruled on Friday that the 27-year-old would be sentenced to be held in state prison for 40 years to life.
According to Mr. Spitzer, he expressed his gratitude towards Judge King for recognizing that this was not just a simple mistake, but rather a deliberate act of murder. He emphasized that the perpetrator seemed more concerned about his own life after serving time in prison, rather than the life of the innocent little boy whose future was tragically cut short.
Ms. Lee is currently awaiting trial, where she faces one felony count of being an accessory after the fact and one misdemeanor count of possessing a concealed firearm in a vehicle.
Eriz expressed his apologies in court before the judge delivered his sentencing, as reported by NBC News.
“He embodied the roles of a son, a little brother, and a trusted friend to those around him. His presence had a way of illuminating the world, leaving an indelible mark wherever he went. In every sense, he was one of God’s cherished angels,” expressed Eriz. “I deeply regret causing him harm and the immense pain he endured because of my actions.”
Eriz continued, expressing his belief that he never deserved it, and neither did his family.
