‘Even the dog missed Ethan’: At sentencing, East Bay clerk heard from mother of man he killed

OAKLAND — A former Circle Okay clerk was transferred to state jail for killing a suspected shoplifter, however earlier than being despatched away, he heard from his sufferer’s mom in court docket.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Every single day is one of sorrow and heartache. Every day,” stated Carolyn Escorcio at a Could court docket listening to. Her son, Ethan Daniel Escorcio, was shot and killed in July 2020 at a Circle Okay in Alameda, allegedly whereas trying to shoplift cigarettes.

The clerk, Wenyong Huang, 31, was charged with homicide. This 12 months, he settled the case by pleading no contest to manslaughter and accepting a 12-year jail time period. He was transferred to jail on July 24, and is presently incarcerated in Delano, data present.

Carolyn Escorcio described her son “a sweet and compassionate boy” who beloved artwork, cross-country driving, animals, and spending time along with his household. She stated she’s haunted by the concept after being shot, he was “laying there waiting for help that wouldn’t come.”

“He had a great gentle spirit and soul. He loved animals, particularly dogs. He loved his dog. He loved his Shih Tzu,” Escorcio stated. “Even the dog missed Ethan … Nobody deserves to die like that.”

Others in Ethan Escorcio’s household urged Choose Clifford Blakley to reject the plea deal, arguing that Huang ought to have been prosecuted for homicide: They claimed that Escorcio was strolling out of the shop along with his again turned when he was killed.

Police stated on the time of the July 11, 2020 murder that Escorcio went behind the counter of a Circle Okay the place Huang labored and grabbed a pack of cigarettes from a casing. Huang, who reportedly acknowledged Escorcio as a repeat shoplifter, grabbed a pistol from his waistband and fired, hitting Escorcio within the head. Authorities stated Huang pointed the gun at Escorcio’s neck, then fired after Escorcio stepped towards him.

“Mr. Huang chose to press the gun to my brother’s head and pull the trigger,” Escorcio’s sister, Krystal Sutton, stated in court docket. “This is not the actions of someone who wants to stop petty theft or is in fear for their life. That is the actions of a killer.”

Annie Beles, the protection legal professional representing Huang, spoke in court docket after the household. She referred to her shopper by his American title, Terry.

“Terry has expressed remorse and feels terrible about this from the instant that it occurred. He stayed on scene. He called 911,” Beles stated. She later added: “Terry will be going to prison with the guilt and shame and remorse about taking someone else’s life. He is going to address that, and he has told me that he is going to honor Ethan’s life by never doing anything like this again. Not having a gun, not being violent.”

Choose Clifford Blakely acknowledged the “devastating” impression of the crime however stated after contemplating all of the related components he was nonetheless going forward with the deal, regardless of Escorcio’s household’s outcry.

“I wish that I could do something that could make your pain go away. I can’t. Whether it’s life in prison, it won’t. Trust me. Thirty years of doing this. It won’t,” Blakely stated. “I acknowledge your sorrow and your pain, and I hear you. I promise you, I hear you.”