For more than two years, Maria Ramirez had attended every hearing of the suspect, Christopher Sodaro. Matthew Ramirez died at age 16, walking home from a friend's house on a cold February night in 2006, shot because Sodaro mistakenly thought he was in a gang, authorities said.
Police never found a weapon, Sodaro never admitted guilt and the state's best witness was another gang member. And so in July a judge released Sodaro, now 17, saying there wasn't enough evidence to convict him.
The justice system was unable to provide any closure for Mrs. Ramirez but the thug life that Sodaro led certainly did.
Then on an October night, she got the news. The teen accused of killing her son was dead. Sodaro had gotten into a fight with rival gang members, and he was dragged by a car to his death. Nobody has been charged.
Mrs. Ramirez summed up her feelings on Sodaro's death.
"I'm extremely happy. This kid, this guy was a hard-core gang banger," she said recently. "At least now he's not out on the street, able to do what was done to me to another mother. At least he can't kill another now."
She knows some might disapprove of her honesty. She doesn't care.
Unfortunately the trade off was hardly fair. A good kid's life traded for a thug's life. No Mrs. Ramirez, I don't disapprove of your honesty, you have every right to feel that way.
17 comments:
I have dealt with Christopher Sodaro, and Mrs. Ramirez is correct, he was a PUNK.
I hope you can now sleep better at night Mrs. Ramirez.
Another case of bad law--excellent justice.
Sometimes the gene pool gets a little chlorine.
We often hear of the cases where the victim's family reaches out to the family of the offender when the offender's momma cries "Oh, please don't send my baby to jail. He a good boy."
And they buy into it. Figure why destroy two lives?
There is nothing anyone can say to Mrs Ramirez to ease the pain of her loss. Her sentiments are quite understandable.
I am just surprised that the news media published them.
OT but a recent appellate court opinion has permitted the use of breathalyzer results, provided under Department administrative rights, in a criminal prosecution for DUI.
People v. Carey, No. 1-07-3262 (Ill.App. Dist.1 11/07/2008)
She has No Right!
I am sorry Mrs. Ramirez has dealt with this law, but I am sorry to say she is not God. She has no right neither of any of you who probably have nothing better to do than to feel that by posting a comment as horrendous as this, that you have made a mark in life. Well you haven't, you idiots! This is someones son, grandchild, nephew, cousin, friend, or neighbor! How dare you or her pass judgement! You all might has well shot and killed this person yourselves! Shame on all of you! May God have mercy on your cold hearts!!
To the above comment:
How dare you say she has no right?
Who the hell are you to tell someone they can't feel a certain way? You're sorry she has to deal with this law,. I'm sorry for the loss of her sons life. Don't beg God for mercy for my soul. Pray that you or someone you love isn't a victim of the Christopher Sodaro's of this world.
to the moron that said "he was someones son, grandchild..." thankfully you didn't say that this piece of trash was someone's father. Looks like he got what he deserved before he had the chance to breed. Don't pray for me you idiot. Keep your prayers for yourself. Request some common sense while you're at it.
Hey this is Nelly Estrada Christopher Sodaro mother, sorry for the delay .my condolences to ms. Ramirez for the loss of her son Mathew Ramirez aka bobo known Satan disciple from the 43rd area trouble child at Kelly high school. Number one problem with this situation of gang violence is parent denial ms. Ramirez you know your son was a gang member all you need to do is look back on his school record at Kelly high school on archer and California, I understand BABY KKaper, and bobo had a problem bobo and five of his "friends" wanted to take Christopher’s jacket as a trophy because that’s who Chris was but Chris put them in their places don’t you remember bobos ten day suspension ms.ramriez? Your right I will never fit in your shoes they are to small "nigga pleaseeezz" my BABY had a 200 hundred plus wake, and a mile long procession plus a police escort all the way to his resting place. CHRISTOPHERS BOYZ PAID FOR HIS FUNERAL EXPENSES from what I am told bobo was not a loss. With all my condolences, and empathy I wish you the best! Remember god doesn't leave us we leave him!
Nelly BABY KKAPERS MOTHER
P.S.
You’re right Thank God I have two more sons and a granddaughter I could never imagine your situation, like I said I would never wear your shoes.
LUV BABY KKAPERS MOTHER.
First of all the newspaper writer who stated that C. Sodaro was M. Ramirez murderer well you must have seen this first hand in order to have stated it as fact. Which can definitely be considered defamation of character since appearantly there wasn't a solid witness or he would have been found guilty. That may mean he was or wasn't the man who committed that crime. Second i too was in the court room and saw something i had not seen in a long time that was Mathew's Mom kiss a Corona Medal to the sky when CS was held without bond. For those of you unfamiliar with this ritual it is something Latin Kings do thanking their King for their blessing. Now that having been said no life is more precious than another why cause they are all God's children even the Police Officer who killed his kids. So there are many who live in glass houses. To Ms. Ramirez if you weren't so busy being better and angry you might see signs of your son everywhere but please do whatever you think helps you survive and if you cant find a way to turn something bad into something good and bitter is a way of honoring your child than do that and may God bless you on your journey to peace. You have a long one. To the mother of C. Sodaro as I understand it you gave the gift of life. For those of you who don't know what that is this mom chose to donate all her child's viable organs so that someone else may live or see. This mom i'm sure wasn't happy with the life her child chose yet stood by her child this is known as unconditional love. Now this mom has decided to turn her tragedy into someone else's possibility at life. I have to wonder if we do a little investigating we might find out there is alot unknown and non factual about all that have commented re: this matter?
This world is pretty God less. To the SC Sarge I'd like to say I hope no one is a victim of the many seethy Officer's out there like the one who killed his kids or the one who beat the barmaid who wouldn't serve him anymore. Ah glass houses we all live in them lesson: Keep your fingers to yourself.
Second City Sarge, you of all people, an officer of the law passing judgement like this. It seems that you would take the matter in your own hands if you could. My name is Yvonne Ott, my husband proudly serves this country. He is in the military, unfortunately protecting people like yourselves that have no compassion. Christopher Sodaro was my cousin. The person whom you state killed Mrs. Ramirez's child. He was not found guilty, what society did was take two years of his life for a crime he did not commit. Christopher had spent the summer with me while we were stationed in Virginia. He was little boy who spent his summer stealing toilet paper from my pool house, wow what a crime. He was a little boy who missed his mother so much that cried for two days straight begging me to send him home. He was a little boy that at my baby shower sat patiently waiting for cake. How dare you say that I lucky to have not fallen a victim to him, which I actually did....when he threw a fit because I did not have mayo for his sandwich. And to the person who called me a moran, bc I was the person who posted the last post, FU!!! People like you are a waist of sperm! You are the reason that I'm glad a lot of people choose to swallow, and the reason that I do hope that there is a baby out there that can be claimed as my cousins. When you wish ill upon someone may it comeback ten times worse to you. People like you make me sick! It sucks to know that my husband defends your freedom. That when he is fighting terrorists for people like you, does not make sense. What a waist of breath you are. The loss of Christopher Sodaro affected so many, and to know that when your day comes not one person will shed a tear. I pity you. This is for my Christopher, my booga, my cousin, you are not forgotten and you never will. You have and always be in our hearts!
Ms. OTT,
Try not to confuse the issues. We are talking about the feelings of one mother and how she coped with the loss of her son at the hands of a known gang member. We talked about how the mainstream media and its liberal ways were shocked by the feelings expressed by a mother at the murder of the person accused of killing her son. Yes the key word for you is accused. You said it yourself, "appearantly there wasn't a solid witness or he would have been found guilty" not always true Ms. Ott. Even you say so, "That may mean he was or wasn't the man who committed that crime" these quotes are your words Ms. Ott. I am not Christopher Sodaro's accuser or executioner, but as a human being I am allowed to empathise with a mother who has lost a child. I know nothing about young Ramirez except that he is dead and the known gang member accused of his murder was subsequently murdered. A person who claims to be Nelly Estrada (and I have no way to verify that) states that Mathew Ramirez was also a known gang member. I couldn't tell you if he was or wasn't but the CPD released no information supporting that he was. I'm sure you'll chalk that up to some kind of conspiracy. Ms. Estrada accuses Ms. Ramirez of denial for not acknowledging Mathews alleged gang membership. Well I wish the newspapers would have interviewed Ms. Estrada, they would have gotten quotes like " 'nigga pleaseeezz' my BABY had a 200 hundred plus wake, and a mile long procession plus a police escort all the way to his resting place". Keep in mind that police escort was by no means out of respect. No Ms. Estrada, no one could ever accuse you of denial, you're to proud for that. As for me praying that you would never become a victim of the Christopher Sodaros of this world, I wasn't refering to childhood tempertantrums over condiments.
One last point, how and why would you ever assume to connect your husbands service to this country with opinions freely expressed on this site. I too have served this country proudly and my child is presently serving as well. I let you speak your peace on my site but please keep focused and try not to muddle it up with irrelevant facts or assertions.
This is Baby KKaper aka Booga Bears big sister. I am absolutely appalled at these comments. We do live in a free country, I get that…but as citizens here, I believe we should all show some respect to those who have passed on and their families should not have to defend or hear this blasphemy. I am extremely sorry for your loss Mrs. Ramirez, but throwing out words with such anger and hatred will get you nowhere in life…it’ll still leave your heart cold and your tears running down each day/night. Are you forgetting that Justice WAS served the day that Judge came to the verdict of NOT GUILTY. You should be focused on remembering your son’s memory and not placing blame where it need not be. Pray that he is still lingering around, because Christopher is everywhere.
Nelly, you know I love you, and I take my hat off to you for how strong you have been during this time. You are one of the most amazing women I have met, and I’m proud to know you and have you in my life. You have not only helped me, but helped others get through their days since Christopher has passed. You have opened your heart to each and every person that came to pay their respects, and you continue to stay in contact with them. That takes a strong woman to do that, and I love you for that!!!
To everyone else, I would hope and pray to God that you never have to lose a sibling, parent or friend. Just because Christopher was in that lifestyle does not mean that he didn’t have goals and dreams. I am not a gang banger, nor do I support it…but I do support my brothers and will never stop! If that makes me a bad person, then so be it. May God have mercy on all of you, let him take you in your arms at your hour of judgment and forgive all the judging you have done in your life.
I can't believe that family members of known gangbanger would defend the actions of those gang members. They know that gang members are encourage to terrorize the general public. They steal, rob, assault, batter, shoot and yes kill all in the name of the gang or just for thrills. We all know that once you've gotten into the gang life you have to put in some work and get your hands dirty. At that point your alter boy or girl status is gone. Just because a witness would not come forward, or a judge or jury, who are human, make mistakes in their judgement. That does not mean the incident didn't happen. Time and time again we see the family members of the known and proud to be, gangbanger defend and make excuses for their terroristic behavior. They've victimized and terrorized communities for years and will continue to do so for years to come. So excuse me if I don't feel sorry for CS as he has now become the victim. As he has victimized others in the past.
FED-UP
This is Baby KKaper aka Booga Bears big sister. I am absolutely appalled at these comments. We do live in a free country, I get that…but as citizens here, I believe we should all show some respect to those who have passed on and their families should not have to defend or hear this blasphemy. I am extremely sorry for your loss Mrs. Ramirez, but throwing out words with such anger and hatred will get you nowhere in life…it’ll still leave your heart cold and your tears running down each day/night. Are you forgetting that Justice WAS served the day that Judge came to the verdict of NOT GUILTY. You should be focused on remembering your son’s memory and not placing blame where it need not be. Pray that he is still lingering around, because Christopher is everywhere
GOD will judge Baby KKaper. He knows all the dirt that he has done. He know if he was the shooter in this crime or any others.
Hey Sarge - Send Yvonne Ott a Chalkie T-shirt and tell her to STFU!
What the hell is this? baby kkapers… booger bear… bobo… You friggin people appall me!! They were each given a name- why don't you use it? You’ve turned this post into a ghetto rant making this an sd VS king tirade, just like a typical be-otch shouting match. Why don’t you just post it in spray paint like you’re tagging it, just like you’ve done to your ghetto communities? You’re hurting at the loss of your relative, that’s understood. But the path they chose to walk resulted in their death. Who cares, they died for the cause right? What a philosophy. How dare any of you speak in contempt of the SCC for expressing an opinion. What you seem to forget is that no matter what BS you post here, SCC, like many other cops know the real deal. They know how these thugs act, they know what they are, and they know from experience, from dealing with these gangbanging pukes every day for years. SCC, like many others speaks from experience. Why would SCC or anyone else feel sorry for the loss of someone known to be a menace on society? These people cause so much devastation with their mere existence that the sympathy meter goes way down when they die. And, by the way, they didn’t “pass”; they were murdered- there’s a difference. But, they were murdered due to their own actions not as innocent victims. So get off the pity pot- your gangbanging relative is dead. Stop with the gang names, ghetto font, colors and flags nonsense, no one feels sorry. Steer the little ones away from the lifestyle and do us all a favor… Unless that’s what you represent too.
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