Man gets seven years in alcohol death of 13-year-old girl

 by Catlin Conedera and Lauren Bridge
 published on Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Armando Hernandez Jr., 19, was sentenced Friday to seven years in prison for manslaughter involving the death of 13-year-old Brenda Nguyen.

"I am very sorry to the family," Hernandez said at the sentencing. "I've learned from my mistakes."

On Feb. 18, 2007 Nguyen and a friend, 14-year-old Arlene Cota, were at a Phoenix apartment with seven other people, including Hernandez. Nguyen consumed a large amount of alcohol and became ill, losing consciousness shortly after.

Nguyen died of alcohol poisoning in the apartment, but police were never contacted.

Hernandez and three others disposed of Nguyen's body in a nearby alley. Her body was found hours later, but was not identified for a week.

Nguyen's blood alcohol content was reported to be between .36 and .43.

The defense tried to portray Hernandez in a positive light at the sentencing.

Jon Perkins, Hernandez's former employer, spoke at the sentencing. He said Hernandez was a responsible young man who worked harder than most of the adults he employed.

After hearing statements from Hernandez's tearful family and friends, the judge considered his age and family dynamic when sentencing him.

"His father wasn't living with him and his mother was troubled," Judge Michael Gordon said.

Before the length of the sentence was announced, Gordon addressed the facts surrounding the 911 call that was never made. "Reports said that Hernandez told people not to call 911," Gordon said.

"That's a lie. Nobody ever tried to call 911," the Hernandez said, "She looked fine, that's why I didn't call."

There is something wrong with the fact that Hernandez did not call 911 and dumped a body in an alley, Prosecutor Ted Duffy said.

During the sentencing, the prosecution sought an eight-to-ten year sentence for Hernandez, while the defense suggested a five-year sentence.

The defense argued that Nguyen was a troubled runaway whom Hernandez tried to help.

"Many 13-year-olds are troubled, but most go on to 14, 15, 16 and 17 to have the opportunity to work out their troubles," Duffy said. "She will not have this opportunity."

After the sentencing, Hernandez's family exited the courtroom in tears.

"We were optimistic he would get five years," defense attorney Craig Gillespie said after the hearing. "So obviously we were disappointed."

"My belief is that the others involved should have shouldered more of the responsibility," Gillespie said.

A restitution hearing is scheduled for April 11, 2008.

Brett Garber and Julie Wlodychak contributed to this report.