Death Penalty Sentenced in Case of Murdered Officer

Southern California Superior Court Judge Joan P. Weber sentenced Adrian Camacho to be executed for the murder of police officer Tony Zeppetella. Weber denied the defense attorney's request for a new murder trial. She also denied the request for a life sentence without the possibility of parole rather than the death penalty.

Weber described the homicide as the most, “callous, unprovoked attack on a member of the law enforcement community” that she has seen in her 26 years in the legal profession.

Camacho, whom authorities describe as an illegal immigrant, a small-time drug dealer, and a gang member, had a loaded gun and drugs in his vehicle. When Officer Zeppetella stopped Camacho in the parking lot of a Navy Federal Credit Union, Camacho shot Zeppetella, for fear of being arrested. Zeppetella was shot 13 times during the gunfight that took his life.

After murdering the police officer, Camacho stole Zeppetella's patrol vehicle and drove to his mother-in-law's house. While there, defense attorneys say that Camacho showed he was remorseful by trying commit suicide by slitting his wrists and writing “I'm sorry” on a bathroom wall. Later that evening, Camacho surrendered to a SWAT team.

During the trial, the defense team argued that Camacho suffered from a mental disorder and that his judgment was impaired because of he was under the influence of methamphetamine, heroine, and the prescription drug Paxil, an anti-depressant. Throughout the trial, Camacho remained silent, and did not make any statements.

While the Zeppetella family was vocal about their pain and suffering, it was Zeppetella's widow who was most forgiving. She spoke out in court, saying, “You murdered a God fearing and compassionate man that would want me to forgive you for what you did to him and to our family.”