FRESNO (KMJ) — A Fresno gang member will face 21 years in state prison for the death of Janessa Ramirez.
Brian Cooks apologized to the young girl’s family inside Fresno County Superior Court Monday morning, before finding out his sentence. He had prepared a letter for the relatives of the nine year old girl, which he read out in the courtroom.
The defendant had previously pleaded no contest to the charges of Voluntary Manslaughter, Participation in a Criminal Street Gang, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, following the young girl’s shooting death in January 2015 (click here to read more).
As well as the victim’s relatives, those present for the hearing in Fresno County Superior Court also included Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.
“The last three years have been the hardest,” Janessa’s mother Stacey Gonzales revealed to the court.
She told Cooks that she hopes he finds God and makes peace for what happened to Janessa.
“I hope every time you close your eyes you see her face.”
More friends and family followed suit, expressing both forgiveness towards Cooks and revealing how hard Janessa’s death has been.
“I can say thank you to you for one thing,” said her great-uncle George Gonzales. “You united our family again.”
Judge Arlan Harrell spoke of the loss for both the family of the victim and the family of the defendant, before announcing his decision to sentence Cooks to 21 years in state prison.
“I just want to thank everyone that’s been here through this battle for three years,” said Stacey Gonzales outside the courtroom.
“I just want to say it’s over and again justice for Janessa was served. I just wanted to tell everybody to continue to love each other, respect each other, and stop the gang violence. Especially gun violence.”
“I’m going to make a change about that.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
