Judge Roger Bennett on Wednesday handed down a combined sentence of 73 years in prison to four defendants for their varying roles in a home-invasion robbery that ended in the killing of a Vancouver man.
The four defendants all accepted plea bargains in the case. The Clark County Superior Court judge noted how far greater the penalties would have been if the defendants had gone to trial. He also pointed out how much less the punishment would have been if the group had just robbed Charles N. Moore.
But by shooter Douglas Marquis pulling the trigger and killing Moore, 46, during a confrontation, “it doomed him and his five defendants to eternal damnation and lengthy sentences,” Bennett said.
The defendants came into the court one by one for their sentencings in the morning and afternoon, with the case concluding at 2 p.m.
“It’s over,” whispered Dorothy Moore, Moore’s mother, as the last defendant was ushered out of the courtroom.
Gunman Marquis, 23, was the first defendant sentenced with connection to the Dec. 13, 2009, case, receiving 35 years and 10 months in prison.
Marquis pleaded guilty Jan. 12 to first-degree murder and first-degree robbery.
Defense attorney David Kurtz said in court that Marquis’ co-defendant, Caleb E. Soucy, was the mastermind of the plot and the others had varying motives for taking part. He said Marquis was a good friend of Soucy’s and looked up to him.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Marquis was there because he was a follower,” Kurtz said.
After some of the defendants had a meeting beforehand to plan the robbery, they went to Moore’s house on St. James Road, ransacking the place and stealing items. During a confrontation with Moore, Marquis shot him once in the chest.
Next on Wednesday, the getaway driver, Minna R. Long, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Bennett gave Long, 23, a harsher sentence than requested by the prosecution because she had three past robbery convictions and was initially charged with first-degree murder as an accomplice.
Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Vu had requested a 10-year sentence.
Long pleaded guilty Aug. 4 to three counts of first-degree robbery.
“She got a tremendous break here,” Bennett said.
Long, who was released from jail on electric home confinement in August because she was expecting twins, was taken into custody immediately following the hearing.
Accomplice Joshua B. McAlexander, 31, was sentenced next, receiving a 15-year sentence.
McAlexander earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree robbery. His defense attorney, Clark Fridley, told Bennett that his client was not at all involved in planning the robbery, but came to “help” upon receiving a phone call from co-defendant Soucy.
Fridley said McAlexander didn’t even want to carry a gun for fear that it would result in violence.
“It was not his intent to kill anybody,” Fridley said.
Vu said McAlexander was among four masked men who ransacked Moore’s house. While the others carried guns, McAlexander had a hatchet. His sentence includes a two-year weapon enhancement.
Sentenced last was Garold T. Jacobsen, 28, another masked gunman who accompanied the group to Moore’s home. He received 10½ years in prison for three counts of first-degree robbery.
He told Bennett that he went along with a group to Moore’s home, believing it was only going to be a robbery.
“I would give anything to give back that awful night,” Jacobsen said. “I just wish I had enough strength to stand up and stop what had happened.”
The other two defendants have already been sentenced. Cathleen Potter, 46, Moore’s former girlfriend, who tipped the group off and instigated the robbery but wasn’t present for it, was given 15 months in prison. Soucy, 28, was given 35 years in prison for first-degree murder, as prosecutors believe he was the instigator in the robbery and provided the shotgun that was used in the shooting.
Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.
