Iraq war veteran gets 3 life terms in Reedley slaying attempts

[unhappycamper]

http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/11/06/3056377/iraqi-war-veteran-get-3-life-terms.html


Iraq war veteran gets 3 life terms in Reedley slaying attempts
By Marc Benjamin - The Fresno Bee
Wednesday, Nov. 07, 2012 | 01:49 AM

An Iraq war veteran was sentenced to three consecutive life terms and two sentences of 25 years to life for trying to kill his estranged wife, her brother and mother in their Reedley home in 2009.

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Defense lawyer Eric Schweitzer tried to establish that Baskin's behavior was triggered by post-traumatic stress disorder from his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said he was sure Baskin, who was trained to kill using a knife and gun, didn't intend to kill anyone.

Schweitzer said he wanted the judge to impose a less severe concurrent term of life in prison with 25 years to life for enhancements. Under that sentence, Baskin also would have spent the rest of his life in prison, he said.

"We need to open our eyes to the fact that this is not an isolated case," he told the judge. "War comes home." Throughout the hearing, Dejon Baskin showed no emotion. He answered two of the judge's questions with crisp "yes, sir" responses.