Dead teen's mother pleads for justice as murder suspect is arraigned

As a makeshift memorial continued to grow along the driveway where he was killed, Octavio Acosta's mother spoke out in court Saturday, begging a judge for harsh justice and pleading with local young people to stop the violence.

Acosta, 16, was murdered Friday in what police are calling a gang-related shooting near the 4100 block of South Jojoba Avenue. One of the shooting suspects, John Sanchez, 18, appeared before a judge Saturday at the Yuma County Adult Detention Facility.

During that proceeding Acosta's mother, Candy Villegas, read a speech that portrayed her pain at losing a son, plus emphasized the need for there to be no more young people shot down in Yuma's streets.

"I want this violence to stop now," Villegas said, reading from a piece of paper. "Yesterday I gathered up Octavio's friends and asked them to all stop this violence. I told them that I never want any other parents to go through what my family and I are going through. I feel like something positive may come from all this tragedy. This violence must end today."

Judge James Montgomery set Sanchez's bond at $2 million. He was arrested Friday and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit a murder and participating in a criminal street gang.

Also arrested Friday on the same charges were Robert Ramirez, 16, and Cassandra Vargas, 15. Both were booked into the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center.

During Saturday's court proceeding for Sanchez, a glass wall stood between the suspect and onlookers. Villegas, the dead teen's mother, had to squeeze her way through the tight crowd to address the judge through a microphone.

"I want those responsible to be held accountable for taking my son's life," she said. "I want them to face severe consequences for what they have done. It will never bring him back, but it's what's right and fair."

Villegas declined to be interviewed directly by local media.

Also present in the crowd Saturday was Cheri Streich. Acosta died in Streich's driveway, passing away in front of Streich and a daughter while her husband attempted CPR.

Streich, who has become an advocate of sorts for the Acosta family, said her family created a small memorial in their driveway Friday night, but countless relatives, friends and neighbors have since made the tribute a large one.

"People have been putting out teddy bears, flowers, candles," Streich told The Sun. "It was nonstop from 3 p.m. to almost midnight Friday. People were coming in droves. Young people were out there crying hysterically at losing their friend."

The Streich family plans to host a candlelight vigil for Acosta at sunset today (Sunday). "The community just needs to come out and wrap their arms around this family," Streich said. "We just need to turn this around into something positive. We're a good community."

Streich said she and her family took a lasagna supper to the grieving family's house Saturday night.

"I just grabbed (Villegas) and I just started praying with her," Streich said as she was making breakfast burritos for the family.

Streich stressed that she is sickened by allegations that Acosta may have been involved with gangs.

"I just don't think we need to take his name down like that. It's hurting his parents. He wasn't a gang-banger. He was their boy."

Streich added that Acosta's family told her that they moved to Yuma from Salinas, Calif., to get away from gang activity.

"They came here for a safe haven for their family."

---

A mother's words: What Candy Villegas read during Saturday's court proceeding

"I just feel as a mother going through losing my son that I can not find the words to express all that I am going through.

"Octavio was my right hand. He always helped me.

"Our lives are forever changed. He was a very special son to me. I can not believe he is gone, but I know that I can not bring him back.

"I can not believe how he was just taken this way. How could this have happened? And I just want to understand why.

"I want this violence to stop now. Yesterday I gathered up Octavio's friends and asked them to all stop this violence. I told them that I never want any other parents to go through what my family and I are going through. I feel like something positive may come from all this tragedy. This violence must end today.

"We not only lost a son, but a nephew, a grandson, a friend and a student, and a football team member.

"I want those responsible to be held accountable for taking my son's life. I want them to face severe consequences for what they have done. It will never bring him back, but it's what's right and fair.

"Your honor please do not let Octavio's death be in vain. I ask you to hold these responsible without release. Help us to stop this violence today and allow our families to feel safe. Thank you."

---

Darin Fenger can be reached at
dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.