Killer of 5 in Southern California sentenced to death
SANTA ANA — An Illinois killer convicted of murdering five women in Southern California has been sentenced to death.
An Orange County Superior Court judge issued the sentence Friday for 54-year-old former Marine Andrew Urdiales, convicted of killing five women in Riverside, Orange and San Diego counties between 1986 and 1995. The judge’s decision came after a jury recommended the death penalty for Urdiales earlier this year.
During the sentencing hearing, Urdiales apologized to the victims’ families, many of whom were in court, and said he respects the jury’s decision.
Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said in a statement that the death penalty was the only just punishment for Urdiales.