Thanks to Zoom71 for this. Copyright Sacramento Bee Mar 23, 1996 A member of the "Charles Manson family" received a 878-years-to-life term in prison Friday in what is believed to be one of the longest sentences ever handed down in Sacramento County and maybe the state. Michael Lee Monfort, 47, who pleaded guilty as charged to 32 armed robberies, was sentenced under the state's three-strikes law. His prior convictions included two murders and two robberies. Although technically eligible for parole, Monfort must serve 750 years, six months and 15 days before his first parole hearing in 2746, said Deputy District Attorney Robert Morgester. The only moment Monfort changed the chiseled-stone look on his face was when Judge Michael G. Virga knocked 128 days off his sentence for time served and good behavior. Breaking his pursed lips, the pale, clean-shaven Monfort smiled and said to the judge, "Thanks for the credits." Previously, the longest sentence in Sacramento County was 400 years, according to several veteran attorneys. Acting as his own attorney, Monfort surprised Morgester on Friday morning with a message that he had changed his mind about going to trial. "He said he wanted to stop wasting the taxpayers' money," Morgester said. "He figured all it took for a life sentence was a conviction on any of his 32 counts." More than 20 years ago, Monfort pleaded guilty to the second-degree murders of a young Marine and his wife. Lauren Willett, 19, was found shot through the head in a shallow grave under a Stockton home. The headless body of James T. Willett, 26, was found buried in a redwood grove near Guerneville. Morgester said police have confirmed that Monfort is a former member of the Charles Manson family. Manson and several of his cult followers are serving prison terms for the 1969 slaughter of actress Sharon Tate and others in Los Angeles. Also arrested with Monfort in connection with Lauren Willett's 1972 murder were three women described as Manson girlfriends, among them Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme. The charge against her eventually was dropped. Several years later, however, Fromme was arrested in Sacramento for the attempted murder of President Ford. Fromme is serving a life sentence. Monfort and two others were arrested last year after an eight-month series of armed robberies including restaurants, yogurt shops and video stores. Brandy Miller is serving a year in jail and Phillip Ridings is awaiting trial. According to a police interview with Monfort's friends, Monfort used the money to feed his drug and alcohol habits.
[quote author=gerard link=topic=4694.msg43606#msg43606 date=1260980297] Wow!!! We won't be seeing any parole hearings for him. [/quote] Thank God cuz he died a few years ago
[quote author=catscradle77 link=topic=4694.msg43610#msg43610 date=1260982826] Thank God cuz he died a few years ago [/quote] There goes my fresh cup of copy. Now have to change my shirt.
Well that was awful nice of the judge to knock 128 days off the sentence. Honestly, if I had been in that court room I'd have been laughing so hard after the judge said that they'd have had to carry me out.
I'm just starting to read more about Stockton and the murder of the Willetts. These women still continued to associate such bad people--especially Pitman. Wedding bells, anyone? http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qhozAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2TIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=3215,3020101&dq=michael+lee+monfort&hl=en
Pitman and Cooper were transfered from Frontera for Monfort and Craig's trial in Sonoma County. That's likely when they served their entire sentences.
That's really interesting. Thanks for sharing. I thought they would be held in San Joaquin. Frontera? That is an eye opener considering who was there. Sadie, Leslie, Pat.
Hi I am looking for any info on Craig and cooper as they are my birth parents. Any help is greatly appriciated. Thanks
