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'Coldblooded killer' given life term for 2007 murder


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POSTED: Tuesday, February 23, 2010

A state judge sentenced Jerrico Lindsey yesterday to life in prison plus 90 years for robbing, abducting and gunning down another man in the middle of Kaneohe Bay Drive more than two years ago.

The judge also ordered Lindsey, 29, to serve at least 20 years behind bars before he is eligible for parole and to pay $10,790 in restitution to his victim's widow and for funeral expenses.

Lindsey's mother, Debra Butler, pleaded for mercy for her son.

Butler said her son is a compassionate, giving person who has donated his time and money to needy individuals and charitable organizations on Maui and Oahu.

She said Lindsey paid for Waianae school kids to go on field trips and for installing air conditioners at Waianae High School, where she was a teacher.

“;He is not the monster that the prosecutor and people who don't even know him have accused him of being,”; Butler said.

Circuit Judge Steven Alm told Lindsey he agrees with his mother that he is not a monster.

;[Preview]  Lindsey Sentenced To Life Plus 90 Years In Prison
 

Prosecutors wanted an exceptionally long sentence for exceptionally shocking violence.

Watch ]

 

“;On the other hand, you are a coldblooded killer,”; Alm said.

A state jury found Lindsey guilty of murder, kidnapping, robbery, burglary and firearm charges in the May 14, 2007, abduction and killing of 27-year-old Benjamin Grajeda.

Two other men testified that they and Lindsey went to Grajeda's Kaneohe apartment to steal money and drugs.

When Grajeda returned home unexpectedly, the men said, they beat him and put him in the trunk of their car.

As they were traveling on Kaneohe Bay Drive, Grajeda escaped.

Lindsey's companions and other motorists said Lindsey chased Grajeda, shooting at him over and between cars.

One motorist said Lindsey stood over Grajeda and shot him execution style.

Another witness said Lindsey started walking away after Grajeda collapsed to the ground, then turned and shot him at least twice more before walking away.