Salem gang members sentenced for attack

By Associated Press Published: Nov 10, 2009 at 9:40 AM PST

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Three gang members who nearly beat a Salem man to death with baseball bats have been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Sixteen-year-old Gustavo Joaquin Chavez-Ramos, 18-year-old Marcos Xavier Rodriguez and 20-year-old Roy Regalado all pleaded guilty to assault and attempted murder in a June 3 attack on Rosendo Garcia Jr.

Prosecutors say Chavez-Ramos beat Garcia with a wooden bat and Rodriguez used an aluminum bat. While Garcia lay bleeding in the street, Regalado spiked a half-empty 40-ounce bottle of beer into his face.

The Statesman Journal reports the 20-year-old Garcia is now blind, deaf in one ear and confined to a wheelchair.

The gang members had been joyriding in a car, drinking and provoking other motorists, according to witness reports. Police say that Garcia was returning a movie in his father's brand-new car when the gang members happened upon him.

- The Statesman Journal originated this report.