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SALT LAKE CITY — When Vincent Samora was shot and killed almost six years ago in the driveway of his mother's home, Chris Gonzales lost the closest thing he had to a father.
"Losing him the way we did, in such a cowardly way, it tears a family apart," Gonzales said of his uncle's death. "He had a good heart and he gave a lot. We all loved him and he loved us."
Ramona Gonzales said she thought she would feel better Monday after 3rd District Judge Robin Reese sentenced the man who shot her son, Anthony James Prater, 29, to life in prison without parole. Wiping her eyes, she said the relief did not come.
"I want my son and that's something that's not going to happen," she said.
Prater shot and killed Samora, 35, on Nov. 27, 2007. Prosecutors believe it was a retaliation shooting because Samora had testified against Christopher Archuleta, Prater's former cellmate who was also convicted of shooting Samora in the stomach in 2005.
(Vincent Samora) had a good heart and he gave a lot. We all loved him and he loved us.
–Chris Gonzales
Prater fired eight rounds at Samora just after he pulled into the driveway of his mother's home. Samora was shot in the back and died of his wounds.
"Do you know I heard every shot that morning, not knowing which one took his life?" Ramona Gonzales said. "It doesn't matter his age, he was my child. … This person took one of the most wonderful parts of my life from me."
Prosecutor Vincent Meister told the judge that Prater's criminal history spanned 17 years of his life, with his first encounter with the justice system coming at age 11. As an adult, he made his way to prison, only to kill Samora 10 months after his release.
He asked for life in prison without parole because Prater has never taken accountability for killing Samora, even after he was convicted by a jury. He also asked that Reese send a message that those who harm or intimidate witnesses will be punished.
Defense attorney Ed Brass said his client, who has already filed a motion for a new trial, is planning an appeal. He said Samora never identified Archuleta in court and asked for a lesser sentence of 25 years to life to allow Prater to have time to try to work his way back into society.
- Aggravated murder - life in prison without parole
- Obstruction of justice - 1-15 years
- Discharging a firearm from a vehicle (5 counts) - 3-5 years
"He's going to be disabled for a very long time," Brass said. "Give him some hope. That's all we're asking."
Prater declined to comment in court.
The judge explained that he issued the sentence for a variety of reasons, including the nature of the crime, Prater's lack of cooperation and remorse and the fact that an innocent woman was also almost shot in the incident.
"All of those things warrant the harshest punishment I can impose," Reese said.
After the hearing, Chris Gonzales said that while his family continues to miss Samora every day, they are satisfied to know that Prater will spend the rest of his life in prison.
"I feel that we did receive some justice," he said. "We do have some closure with this and we can finally put this behind us and move forward."
