A defiant convicted killer showed up to his court sentencing ready to face off on Monday.<\/p>\n
“You’re smiling now, Mr. Valdez,” Fresno County Superior Court Judge Houry Sanderson said. “I watched that smile on your face develop as I said those words because you know those are truths.”<\/p>\n
Christopher Valdez shot and killed Andrew Valdez in 2019. The 22-year-old victim is unrelated to the shooter, but both had gang ties.<\/p>\n
Investigators say what began as a party in East Central Fresno ended with multiple shots.<\/p>\n
“The reality that my son Andrew will never return to us again has shattered our hearts forever,” stepfather Alejandro Lopez said.<\/p>\n
Christopher pleaded guilty to manslaughter late last year. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the murder charge that could have brought a life sentence at trial and instead agreed to 26 years.<\/p>\n
Lopez wanted more.<\/p>\n
“As it is written in the Old Testament of the Bible, an eye for an eye,” he said. “My son’s life for your son’s life.”<\/p>\n
Those comments appeared to fluster Christopher.<\/p>\n
The killer’s sister then took the stand to defend him, urging him never to stop being himself and telling him to remain strong.<\/p>\n
“Christopher is still being charged and accused for a crime he didn’t do,” Alicia Valdez said.<\/p>\n
Judge Sanderson then set the record straight, saying a witness identified Christopher as the shooter.<\/p>\n
Alicia, who was then back in the gallery, shouted out. “She’s a liar,” she said.<\/p>\n
Judge Sanderson ordered her to leave the courtroom.<\/p>\n
Christopher appeared unmoved through it all, sitting with his head high.o<\/p>\n
“He is gone in physical form, but he is with all of you for many, many years to come,” the judge told the victim’s family.<\/p>\n
Christopher will soon head to the California Department of Corrections to begin serving his 26-year prison sentence. He already has credit for nearly a third of it.<\/p>\n
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