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Arthur Carmona R.I.P.

Posted by Nick Schou in Breaking News

February 18, 2008 12:43 PM

Permalink | Comments (4)

Arthur Carmona, the 16-year-old kid who was wrongfully arrested, prosecuted and convicted of robbing an Irvine juice shop ten years ago, is dead.

Somebody--witnesses claim he was an angry guy who picked a fight at a trailer park party early Sunday morning in Santa Ana--rammed him with a pickup truck. Police found his body in the street and confiscated the truck. They opened a homicide investigation but haven't named a suspect yet.

Sgt. Jose Gonzalez, a Santa Ana police spokesman, said he had no further information on the crime and the victim's mother, Ronnie Carmona, was unable to take telephone calls today. Yesterday, just hours after getting the news, she sent several reporters an email saying she still hadn't been able to see her son's body. "Arthur is finally free," she wrote. "I would like to extend my deepest thank you to everyone who helped me fight for Arthur's release from prison."

Along with LA Times columnist Dana Parsons, the Weekly published numerous articles on Carmona's Kafkaesque journey through Orange County's justice system. You can read those stories here, here and here. Both the Times and Register published stories about Carmona's death. You can also read readers comments below the Register story which are alternatively touching and idiotic. Our obituary for Carmona will appear in this Thursday's paper.

 

Comments (4)

  1. Debby Bodkin says:
    February 18, 2008 13:45

    This is so tragic... and I am so sorry for Arthur's family and friends. Arthur fought to expose injustice and he won! Now he is dead. How many more lives, careers, children and families will be destroyed BEFORE someone pays attention to ongoing reports of criminal activity in Orange County? One has to wonder if John Chamberlain, Ashley McDonald and others had knowledge that would expose political evils and wrongdoing.

    Debby Bodkin, Founder
    www.catholics4justice.com

  2. Julie Fernandez says:
    February 22, 2008 20:17

    I would just like to say thank you to everyone who ever stood up and fought for my cousin, he was a good guy and anyone who ever met him knows that. Our family is torn over his MURDER.

  3. Ruby says:
    April 20, 2008 08:31

    This is a terrible end to an already heart-wrenching story of unspeakable odds. This young man never had a chance to live because someone found a loop-hole way of stealing his life from him. Ms. Carmona, I am truly sorry for your loss. Arthur devoted what was the last part of his life helping others by fighting injustice, please take comfort in knowing we are all more educated now because of him. You and your family are in my prayers - always!

  4. jonathan carmona says:
    June 24, 2008 11:25

    it's been almost 6 months since my cousin arthur died......and it never gets easier to live with. he helped shape the person i am today. we were the closest of cousins. i think of him every day. think of why he had to be at that party. think of how i will never share a laugh with him again...thanks to all who supported him in his tough times.

    "Art, i love you man....rest in peace"

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