Thread by @KGETnews

Sentencing is about to take place for Ronald Pierce Jr. and Israel Maldonado, convicted in a crash that killed a Bakersfield grandmother. The two men were racing, and Pierce was drunk, when the crash occurred. #StreetRacingTrial

The crash happened on Old River Road near Ming Avenue in November 2019. Pierce is represented by David A. Torres, Maldonado by Tony Lidgett. The prosecutor is Cole McKnight. #StreetRacingTrial

Pierce had a blood-alcohol content of .24% and was convicted of 2nd-degree murder and other charges, Maldonado of gross vehicular manslaughter. #StreetRacingTrial

Judge Kenneth C. Twisselman II is reading over documents just given to him. #StreetRacingTrial

The court is hearing comments on aggravating factors sought by the DA's office, including that two children were injured in the crash and were "particularly vulnerable." #StreetRacingTrial

The judge found one circumstance in aggravation, that Pierce had an excessive BAC. #StreetRacingTrial

The court will now hear victim impact statements. #StreetRacingTrial

Loneliness Vera, daughter-in-law of the victim, said the family is dealing with a lifetime of pain. Her father-in-law became depressed and sick and his wish to join her came true as he passed away, she said. #StreetRacingTrial

Vera said her father-in-law wanted justice for his wife's death and the "unimaginable amount of pain" suffered by his grandkids. "This family has endured an ocean of tears and an infinite sentence of pain and grief," she said. #StreetRacingTrial

Nikki Iturriria, is reading a letter on behalf of a cousin to the woman killed. The letter says the victim helped her with her children, babysitting them, and was a daily care provider for her aging parents. #StreetRacingTrial

"Maria was not just her provider, she was her spirit," the letter says of the victim. Her grandchildren suffered a tremendous loss in addition to a long recover, the letter says. "Her death ripped the soul out of our family." #StreetRacingTrial

The victim impact statements are complete. #StreetRacingTrial

The judge is going to sentence Pierce first. Pierce will address the court. #StreetRacingTrial

Pierce repeatedly apologized to the victim's family. "I am so ashamed of myself and I don't think I'll ever, ever get past that," he said. #StreetRacingTrial

Pierce said he takes responsibility for his actions. He sat down afterward. The victim's family remained stonefaced. #StreetRacingTrial

The judge is determining exactly what Pierce will be sentenced to. #StreetRacingTrial

Pierce has been sentenced to 15 years to life plus four years and four months. Maldonado will be sentenced next. #StreetRacingTrial

Court is in recess for 15 minutes. #StreetRacingTrial

Court is back in session. #StreetRacingTrial

Following comments by attorneys on the appropriate sentence, Judge Twisselman has sentenced Maldonado to two years' probation, with the first year to be served in jail. He already has custody credits for 180 days. #StreetRacingTrial