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  the cops who murdered mario didnt spend a day in jail. the cop who shot a chandler woman in the back didnt do any time. but there seems to be a double standard on this.....

Original Article

18-year term for man who hurt deputy

Michael Kiefer The Arizona Republic Feb. 12, 2005 12:00 AM

An argument over a parking violation that severely injured a Maricopa County sheriff's deputy will put a man in prison for 18 years.

On Friday in Maricopa County Superior Court, Jose Fortino Grande, 28, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for aggravated assault and three years for leaving the scene of the accident that crippled Deputy David Wargo in 2003.

"It was a tragedy," said Wargo's mother, Maryjane Cantrell. "I feel that the sentence was fair, and our family will continue to pray for their family as we try to put our family back together."

Grande's mother fainted during the sentencing, and the proceedings stopped as paramedics tended to her.

Wargo was working as a security guard at a supermarket at 83rd Avenue and Camelback Road, when he asked Grande to move his truck. Grande tried to flee with Wargo holding onto the truck. Wargo then fell and struck his head. He suffered severe head injuries and is unable to communicate or take care of himself. He attended the trial in a wheelchair. He lives in a rehabilitation center in California.

Judge Gary E. Donahoe said that Grande refused to accept a plea agreement that would have resulted in a lighter prison sentence. Instead, Grande was convicted by a jury in late December.

Donahoe imposed an aggravated sentence for the aggravated assault charge, but said that Grande deserved some leniency on the other count.

"He did turn himself in, something a prominent spiritual leader here did not do," he said, referring to Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien, convicted of leaving the scene of a fatal accident a year ago.