Lamar Roberts, a teenager convicted of beating to death a seven-year-old, will be an old man when he gets out of prison. The so-called "Mortal Kombat Killer" received a 36-year sentence yesterday.
The 2007 beating death of Zoe Garcia, 7, was described by prosecutors and law enforcement in Greeley, Colo. as a reenactment of fight moves from the Mortal Kombat series. Roberts and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Heather Trujillo (Garcia's half-sister) were supposed to be babysitting the child. Instead the two kicked, hit and slammed Trujillo's half-sister to the floor. Garcia's aunt and stepmother later said they believed that Roberts made up the Mortal Kombat alibi, and that video game violence was not the issue here.
Trujillo got an 18-year suspended sentence and six years in a youth offender program as part of a plea bargain.
Man in Alleged 'Mortal Kombat' Death Sentenced to 36 Years [Rocky Mountain News, thanks Jason B.]