Zarabozo trial

Kirby Archer sat stone-faced Tuesday while listening to the families of the four people he killed aboard a fishing boat describe how the slayings ruined their lives.

When the relatives finished their anguished testimony, a judge sentenced Archer to five consecutive life terms. The year-old pleaded guilty in July to first-degree murder, robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy and hijacking the 'Joe Cool' yacht in September after it left Miami for the Bahamas. Archer was sentenced to one life sentence for each count of murder and a fifth for the conspiracy count. But I'm not built that way. Guillermo Zarabozo, a second man accused in the slayings, was convicted last month on lesser firearms charges and could face life in prison.

A mistrial was declared on 12 other charges, which included kidnapping and first-degree murder with a second trial set for next year. He hid out for months and by September, had befriended Zarabozo, an year-old Cuban-American, prosecutors said. Archer and Zarabozo booked the foot "Joe Cool," at the Miami Beach Marina for a phony trip to Bimini, Bahamas, but intended all along to hijack it to Cuba, prosecutors say.

The boat was owned by year-old Jake Branam. His half brother, Scott Gamble, and a buddy, Sammy Kairy, worked as crew members. Outside court Thursday, he said the verdict against Zarabozo brought a sense of relief. I'm really happy it's over. Zarabozo's mother, weeping and visibly distraught, declined to speak with reporters, as did Zarabozo's defense attorneys.

Attorney R. Alexander Acosta issued a short statement praising the efforts of prosecutors Karen Gilbert, Jeffrey Tsai and Michael Gilfarb and investigators from various agencies. Zarabozo was convicted of conspiracy; four counts each of first-degree murder and kidnapping; robbery; hijacking and violence aboard a ship; and four weapons charges.

Blamed killings on another Testifying in his own defense, Zarabozo blamed the killings solely on Archer and said he thought they were going to Bimini for a lucrative security job that would lead to CIA work in Cuba. Zarabozo admitted bringing his 9 mm Glock pistol aboard the boat but said he never shot anyone, and that Archer threatened to kill him as well. Both men initially told investigators the "Joe Cool" had been set upon at sea by Cuban pirates who had killed the four people, but Archer later admitted that was a lie.

Prosecutors, however, had ample evidence that Zarabozo was a willing participant in the plot. Things to Do. Monster Jam returns to San Diego after two-year hiatus. A life sentence was mandatory following the conviction of Guillermo Zarabozo, 21, on 16 charges in February. But U. District Judge Paul Huck sided with prosecutors who wanted a more severe sentence, even if stringing together multiple life terms was essentially symbolic.

Zarabozo testified at his trial that he did not kill anyone, instead blaming the hijacking and murders on his confederate Kirby Archer. Archer, 37, pleaded guilty and is also serving five life terms.

Zarabozo repeated his claims in court Wednesday. Prosecutors said Zarabozo wished for a life of adventure and got involved because Archer claimed connections with the CIA and made promises of a lucrative career filled with undercover excitement.

Zarabozo, a security guard who once aspired to a police career, was convicted in February of kidnapping, murder and other charges. The plot failed when the boat ran out of gas a few miles from Cuban waters.