Posted on Nov 10, 2014
Another death penalty in newlywed Marine couple murders
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From: Marine Corps Times
A man who joined three accomplices in tormenting and killing a Marine sergeant and his wife during a home invasion robbery near Murrieta, California, was sentenced Friday to death.
Kesaun Kedron Sykes, 27, was convicted in August of the 2008 slayings of 26-year-olde Quiana Faye Jenkins-Pietrzak and her husband, 24-year-old Janek Pietrzak.
The six-man, six-woman jury that found Sykes guilty recommended the death penalty, and Riverside County Superior Court Judge Christian Thierbach followed that recommendation.
The defendant is the last of four former Marines to be sentenced for the Oct. 15, 2008, killings.
Last year, three members of Janek Pietrzak's helicopter maintenance squadron at Camp Pendleton — Kevin Darnell Cox and Tyrone Lloyd Miller, both 27, along with 25-year-old Emrys Justin John —were convicted.
Cox and Miller were sentenced to death, while John received two consecutive life prison terms.
"Mr. Sykes and the other defendants crossed every line of human decency when they committed these murders," said Deputy District Attorney Dan DeLimon. "We're talking about a pack of predators who actually took pleasure in inflicting pain and suffering. They're more monster than human."
Sykes, Miller, Cox and John forced their way into the Pietrzaks' French Valley home at 3139 Bermuda Ave. after Cox knocked on the door around 1 a.m. asking if he could speak to the sergeant.
After tying up and gagging the victims, the defendants ransacked the home for 90 minutes.
Quiana Pietrzak was separated from her husband and placed on a table by Sykes, who stripped her and joined Miller and Cox in sexually violating her with a vibrator. According to the defendants' own testimony, they mocked the blindfolded woman, making lewd gestures and suggesting that her cooperation might save her life.
The foursome had carried out a similar home-invasion in Oceanside less than a month earlier, though no one was killed. They confessed that they were mainly interested in the "stuff" they might be able steal from the Pietrzaks, who had received numerous gifts at their Aug. 8 wedding.
John shot the couple with a 9mm handgun.
The defendants painted racial epithets on the home's interior walls — and on the victims' bodies — to make it appear as though a hate-crime had occurred. Pietrzak was of Polish descent; Quiana was black.
Sykes' attorney, Doug Myers, argued that his client suffered from an under-developed brain.
Pietrzak's mother, Henryka Varga, and Quiana's mother, Glenda Faye Jenkins, waged a campaign in 2009 seeking legislation to require the Marine Corps to raise its recruiting standards and strengthen vetting procedures to prevent men such as the defendants from joining. The effort did not bear fruit.
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/crime/2014/11/10/murder-death-penalty/18790785/
A man who joined three accomplices in tormenting and killing a Marine sergeant and his wife during a home invasion robbery near Murrieta, California, was sentenced Friday to death.
Kesaun Kedron Sykes, 27, was convicted in August of the 2008 slayings of 26-year-olde Quiana Faye Jenkins-Pietrzak and her husband, 24-year-old Janek Pietrzak.
The six-man, six-woman jury that found Sykes guilty recommended the death penalty, and Riverside County Superior Court Judge Christian Thierbach followed that recommendation.
The defendant is the last of four former Marines to be sentenced for the Oct. 15, 2008, killings.
Last year, three members of Janek Pietrzak's helicopter maintenance squadron at Camp Pendleton — Kevin Darnell Cox and Tyrone Lloyd Miller, both 27, along with 25-year-old Emrys Justin John —were convicted.
Cox and Miller were sentenced to death, while John received two consecutive life prison terms.
"Mr. Sykes and the other defendants crossed every line of human decency when they committed these murders," said Deputy District Attorney Dan DeLimon. "We're talking about a pack of predators who actually took pleasure in inflicting pain and suffering. They're more monster than human."
Sykes, Miller, Cox and John forced their way into the Pietrzaks' French Valley home at 3139 Bermuda Ave. after Cox knocked on the door around 1 a.m. asking if he could speak to the sergeant.
After tying up and gagging the victims, the defendants ransacked the home for 90 minutes.
Quiana Pietrzak was separated from her husband and placed on a table by Sykes, who stripped her and joined Miller and Cox in sexually violating her with a vibrator. According to the defendants' own testimony, they mocked the blindfolded woman, making lewd gestures and suggesting that her cooperation might save her life.
The foursome had carried out a similar home-invasion in Oceanside less than a month earlier, though no one was killed. They confessed that they were mainly interested in the "stuff" they might be able steal from the Pietrzaks, who had received numerous gifts at their Aug. 8 wedding.
John shot the couple with a 9mm handgun.
The defendants painted racial epithets on the home's interior walls — and on the victims' bodies — to make it appear as though a hate-crime had occurred. Pietrzak was of Polish descent; Quiana was black.
Sykes' attorney, Doug Myers, argued that his client suffered from an under-developed brain.
Pietrzak's mother, Henryka Varga, and Quiana's mother, Glenda Faye Jenkins, waged a campaign in 2009 seeking legislation to require the Marine Corps to raise its recruiting standards and strengthen vetting procedures to prevent men such as the defendants from joining. The effort did not bear fruit.
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/crime/2014/11/10/murder-death-penalty/18790785/
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Death Penalty Marine Corps
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 56
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It is saddening that we such A-holes that tarnish the very soul of our uniforms. Unfortunately, the reality of life is that Military Service comes from a cross section of society. Which means that invariably, there will be a few bad eggs.
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If we started to enact like punishments to the criminals, would it reduce violent crime?
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Maj Chris Nelson
Yes....and no...... It would reduce the REPEAT offenders from repeating their crimes... Criminals are STUPID in that they feel they are smarter then everyone else and won't get caught....therefore, you will continue to have first time criminals....but fewer repeat offenders.
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CPT Zachary Brooks
Sir, true words.
Does that make the idea any less appealing however? Imagine if men who beat their wives got beat up themselves for it.
Things like this make me want a policy like this to be enacted:
http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/classics/christian-newsom/they-did-some-really-nasty-things.html
Does that make the idea any less appealing however? Imagine if men who beat their wives got beat up themselves for it.
Things like this make me want a policy like this to be enacted:
http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/classics/christian-newsom/they-did-some-really-nasty-things.html
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MAJ Dallas D.
CPT Zachary Brooks Very interesting take and one that I think we should at least explore.
I know that if a thief were to have his hand cut off for stealing he would be less likely to steal, great thought provoking comment as always! Thanks!
I know that if a thief were to have his hand cut off for stealing he would be less likely to steal, great thought provoking comment as always! Thanks!
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TSgt (Join to see)
For punishment to be an effective deterrent, it must be quick, decisive and fitting of the crime. In this case, a public execution after sentencing would be justified IMO.
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Wow, what a heart breaking story. Unfortunately evil lurks and seeks for opportunities to create heart ache and misery. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Pietrzak family. I fully support the verdict and the penalty with the exception that all 4 should have received the same penalty. Period!
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SGT (Join to see)
Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. All of those involved should face maximum punishment. Anything less and I would consider it a failure. It's saddening that they were all so called "brothers". It makes it far worse.
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This is exactly why the right of the armed forces to be armed should be enhanced and protected. Come support the right of the armed forces to be armed!: http://www.rallypoint.com/answers/arm-the-armed-forces
Arm the Armed Forces! | RallyPoint
The outcome of the discussion "Concealed carry for CAC holders?" by [~222148:SGT Bernard Boyer III]. Below follows my skeleton letter to congress, based on the edits RP members have suggested to the 10 points. Anyone and everyone is welcome to edit and personalize the letter for their own use in writing to their congressional representatives. We sent a mass email on 3 January, the swearing in of the new congress, now it's a free for all. You...
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I just cannot express the shock I feel from this article. I pray that the Lord God will comfort the mourning families. And I pray for the soul of this last man of the foursome that committed these inhumane acts against a fellow Marine and his dependent wife whom they are supposed to support, not degrade and kill.
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We must kill them. We are a brothergood of warriors, misusing our lethal empowerment merits death. Misusing it against a fellow warrior deserves death at the hands of another fellow warrior, it's as simple as that.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Two wrongs don't make a right and it won't bring them back. I do agree that something needs to be done.
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Capt Richard I P.
SGT(P) (Join to see) Death is the natural fate of a warrior who has violated his code, his oath, his charge and his brothers, it is not a wrong, it is very much a right. It is a deep truth.
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Capt Richard I P.
Cpl Don Ables I respect your opinion. I agree that they have lost the right to their title and place. But we take care of our own, in the good way and should in the bad way. They are our responsibility now, and it should be Marines that give them their just deserts.
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"Sykes' attorney, Doug Myers, argued that his client suffered from an under-developed brain."
This goes in the Mr obvious category as well as the So what, we don't care department.
This goes in the Mr obvious category as well as the So what, we don't care department.
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The death penalty is too good for them life in prison at hard labor is better. I'm always saying, "we have to take care of home with all the problems existing here instead of being involve in other countries drama", hate is a disease this is truly a tragedy.
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MSG Floyd Williams
MGYSGT Marty Pack....I understand what you are saying, and I know it is costing tax payers money to keep them fed and locked up. But I rather for them to suffer thinking about the wrong they have done, everybody have a conscience let it drive them insane there's no escape and no peace.
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MGySgt Marty Pack
I fully understand your stance. We're all entitled to our opinions....thanks for the endorsement.
S/F!
S/F!
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CSM Mark Gerecht
No matter the crime I believe it falls into a few categories.
The largest of these is Hate. There is enough of this around the world. As a species we can find endless ways to hate kill and torture one another.
There is always an excuse color, religion, orgin, historical past, greed, haves, have nots,etc.
Perhaps every citizen should be required to serve 1-3 months in a 3rd world country so all of us can understand how fortunate we are.
Most citizens have a very small world view and no real understanding of how fortunate we are. Understanding this might foster more grateful citizens and society.
The other categories in my opinion
Greed stupidity and finally those who for whatever reason choose a life of crime or know of no other way to survive.
While isolationism is a tempting course of action as a country we have plowed that road before. We did not again a stronger America or better citizens. Instead our isolationalizm allowed the persecutions of millions and our involvement in WW1 and WW2
I could go for life at hard labor or perhaps life requiring them to rebuild or work in specific manual labor or other areas designed to improve society. Something like the public works projects under FDR
Bottom line there will always be criminals. There will always be those who choose to live on the fringe.
Make them work to improve the lives of others in jobs they can do.
There is no need to feed cloth and take care of them as a drain on society if they cannot give something back. There is no need to spend so much money to cage an individual for life without getting something in return from these individuals. Imagine 23 hours a day on death road has got to suck pretty bad so an arrangement as mentioned above might be good for the Iake as well
As I stated previously I do not believe in a long appeals process but a fair and just one at least as best as possible.
After that execute them or provide them the ability to work as described above. When they no longer desire to work carry out the execution.
As long as we have less than 1% of our population fighting 100% of our nations conflicts. We will always be a nation divided. To be a closer society we must have a common bond to some degree.
Maybe the path to citizenship should be like the book Starship Troopers- to be a citizen of this great nation ( yes we have issues). You must serve! Only those who serve have the privilege of citizenship.
At least in our country society usually swings to the far left and eventually to the far right. At some point most of us can enjoy a period of time as the pendulum returns to the center. In many countries this is not even possible
MSG Williams thanks for sparking the conversation. Only through communication can we find the answers to Complex issues.
The largest of these is Hate. There is enough of this around the world. As a species we can find endless ways to hate kill and torture one another.
There is always an excuse color, religion, orgin, historical past, greed, haves, have nots,etc.
Perhaps every citizen should be required to serve 1-3 months in a 3rd world country so all of us can understand how fortunate we are.
Most citizens have a very small world view and no real understanding of how fortunate we are. Understanding this might foster more grateful citizens and society.
The other categories in my opinion
Greed stupidity and finally those who for whatever reason choose a life of crime or know of no other way to survive.
While isolationism is a tempting course of action as a country we have plowed that road before. We did not again a stronger America or better citizens. Instead our isolationalizm allowed the persecutions of millions and our involvement in WW1 and WW2
I could go for life at hard labor or perhaps life requiring them to rebuild or work in specific manual labor or other areas designed to improve society. Something like the public works projects under FDR
Bottom line there will always be criminals. There will always be those who choose to live on the fringe.
Make them work to improve the lives of others in jobs they can do.
There is no need to feed cloth and take care of them as a drain on society if they cannot give something back. There is no need to spend so much money to cage an individual for life without getting something in return from these individuals. Imagine 23 hours a day on death road has got to suck pretty bad so an arrangement as mentioned above might be good for the Iake as well
As I stated previously I do not believe in a long appeals process but a fair and just one at least as best as possible.
After that execute them or provide them the ability to work as described above. When they no longer desire to work carry out the execution.
As long as we have less than 1% of our population fighting 100% of our nations conflicts. We will always be a nation divided. To be a closer society we must have a common bond to some degree.
Maybe the path to citizenship should be like the book Starship Troopers- to be a citizen of this great nation ( yes we have issues). You must serve! Only those who serve have the privilege of citizenship.
At least in our country society usually swings to the far left and eventually to the far right. At some point most of us can enjoy a period of time as the pendulum returns to the center. In many countries this is not even possible
MSG Williams thanks for sparking the conversation. Only through communication can we find the answers to Complex issues.
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