JUSTICE FOR LILY BURK! Charlie Samual given "life" in prision. Why do we have to pay to keep this killer alive for the next 30 to 40 years?

By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
May 29, 2010
12:20 a.m.

LOS ANGELES – Tonight, there is justice in the murder case of beautiful Lily Burk, the vibrant 17 year who was tragically murdered one year ago.

Charlie Samual, a 50-year-old parolee pleaded guilty on Friday to  first-degree murder Burk.

He will spend the remainder of his life in prison.  How much will us taxpayers have to spend to keep this man in prison for the next 30 to 40 years?  How many millions of tax dollars will be spend to feed this killer, and protect him from others while he is in prison?


Samuel, flanked by his two lawyers and wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, answered variously, “Yeah,” “Correct,” and “Uh-huh,” when Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson took the plea that was accepted by Superior Court Judge David S. Wesley.

We need prison reform.  This case has made many of us stop and think about our "plea" agreements here in California's "justice" system.

Samual is a cold blooded killed.  He admitted murdering poor Lily, who was abducted from the Wilshire Area on July 24, 2009.

He also admitted the "special circumstances for the murder"  – carjacking, kidnapping and robbery, and he pleaded guilty to one count each of kidnapping to commit robbery, second-degree robbery, attempted first-degree ATM robbery, carjacking and kidnapping for the purpose of carjacking. In addition, he admitted prior convictions including robbery and burglary in San Bernardino County and petty theft with a prior conviction, a felony, in Los Angeles County.

So, how come he isn't facing the Death Chambers?

Wesley, who had presided over Samuel’s preliminary hearing earlier this year, said he found a factual basis for the plea. He sentenced Samuel to life without the possibility of parole, plus 100 years to life, plus another 30 years for the prior felony convictions.

Burk’s parents – Greg Burk and Deborah Drooz – were in court along with friends. They chose not to make a statement to the court prior to sentencing. Instead, they released a written statement that noted their daughter would have celebrated her 18th birthday this coming June 12.

“She was the best daughter in the world,” the parents said, adding, “We’re grateful that the criminal-justice phase is at an end and we can move forward with love for Lily in our hearts.”

 A brief statement of apology Samuel made to the parents just prior to sentencing brought a reply to the defendant from Judge Wesley. “There are no words that you can say that will substitute for the loss you caused these people,” he said.

Jackson told reporters that after a painstaking review of the case, he believed that justice was served. Samuel, he said, can hurt no one else. “A killer is behind bars,” the prosecutor added.

Do you think that Justice was served in the case, or should Samuel have been given the "death penalty?"  Tell me your thoughts, and any memories you might have had of Lily.  I am tired of spending my taxes on those who admit that they have killed another person.  It is time to "rethink" our California justice system.

RIP Lily...RIP!
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