Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 16, 2007 Luis Alberto Salas-Juarez Possible illegal alien faces life in prison By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune A Medford man convicted Tuesday of murder likely will not be deported for decades amid new allegations of being an illegal alien. Luis Alberto Salas-Juarez, 23, faces life in prison for the Aug. 13 stabbing of 23-year-old Mark Edwin Lunsford of Butte Falls. Salas is set to hear his sentence today in Jackson County Circuit Court. Prosecutor David Hoppe said he planned to argue for Oregon's mandatory penalty — life in prison with a minimum of 25 years before parole eligibility — despite a charge of illegally being in the country lodged Wednesday against Salas. "I'm going to ask that it have no bearing on his sentencing," said Hoppe, a deputy district attorney for Jackson County. "It wasn't an issue at the trial." Convictions of murder against non-citizens legally residing in the United States commonly result in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, said ICE spokeswoman Lorie Dankers, adding that she couldn't speak specifically to Salas' case. Serving out a criminal sentence takes precedence over deportation, she said. But the detainer remains in place and tasks an immigration judge with the case upon the criminal's release, she said. Advertisement Salas' attorney Joseph Maier, of Grants Pass, said he believed his client was in the country legally at the time of his arrest. Salas told Medford police officers that he came to the United States at age 8 and, although he spent extended periods in Mexico, graduated from high school in the U.S. Family members — many of whom live in Oregon, Washington and California — said Salas moved to Medford about a year ago for better job opportunities. A jury unanimously convicted Salas of Lunsford's murder following a weeklong trial. Eyewitnesses said Salas bumped up against Lunsford during a 2:45 a.m. confrontation in Medford's Theater Alley. Lunsford stepped away from Salas with a stab wound to his chest, witnesses testified. He died about two hours later of massive blood loss following surgery at Providence Medford Medical Center. Jurors also found Salas guilty of the attempted murder of 23-year-old Lawrence Matthew Crowley, of Medford. Salas tried to slash his stomach after attacking Lunsford, Crowley testified. Salas ran from the scene and was arrested about five minutes later near 10th and Fir streets. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help