Philippine National Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murders of Wife, Son

Philippine National Sentenced to Life
in Prison for Murders of Wife, Son

April 24, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Joe Scott, Director of Communications
Sandi Gibbons, Public Information Officer
Jane Robison, News Secretary
(213) 974-3525

COMPTON – A Philippine national convicted of murdering his wife and son, then setting the bodies on fire, was sentenced today to life in prison, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Ann Park said Compton Superior Court Judge Gary R. Hahn, who presided over the trial, sentenced 36-year-old Ernesto Acedo to 35 years to life, plus another life term, in prison for the 2005 murders.

A jury convicted Acedo of the murders on Feb. 27. A day later, trial Judge Hahn ruled the defendant was sane when he fatally stabbed his wife, smothered his son and set both bodies afire. The defense argued that Acedo was under the influence of an antidepressant called Zloft. Prosecutor Park argued that evidence alone is insufficient for a sanity verdict and requested the directed verdict.

Maila Acedo, 30, a registered nurse, came to the United States from the Philippines to find employment. When she found a nursing job, Park said the woman sent for her husband and their 8-year-old son, Duke.

Ernesto Acedo arrived in the United States on July 23, 2005. Park said he believed his wife was having an affair and killed both the woman and their son at the family’s Paramount residence less than two weeks later – on Aug. 2, 2005.

As he was setting the bodies on fire, Acedo also caught fire. He saved himself.

He was arrested shortly after the murders and has remained in custody on $2 million bail.

Besides convicting Acedo of two counts of second-degree murder, the jury also found him guilty of one count of arson.

sg

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