Rafael Santos Sentenced to 70 Years in Prison for Murder of an Ice-Cream Vendor
By: Vi Nguyen
Updated: July 11, 2012
July 11, 2012 (ROCKFORD) "It's not justice. It's too small of an amount of time," said Maria Busio.
With help from a translator, widow Maria Busio says, justice was not served in the Winnebago County courtroom-- in the murder of her husband ice-cream vendor Isidro Duran.
"He deserves a bigger punishment for what he did," said Busio.
Busio remembers how her husband, a native of Mexico and father of three would sell ice-cream in Rockford to support his family.
That support was cut short in July 2007 when Duran was selling ice-cream in the 700 block of Loomis Street.
He was approached by Rafael Santos and two other men, Justin Dismuke, 21 and Michael Jennings, 21.
They robbed Duran, and Santos shot him in the back four times as he tried to escape.
"He was a very good man. He never got involved with anybody. I don't know why this happened," said Busio.
Although prosecutors pushed for 85 years, Judge Gary Pumilia sentenced Santos to 70-years in prison.
Still Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscasto says, he respects the judge's decision.
"At this point in time, I'm glad to see that the family has come to the end of this very long road for them, and that they can now move to the next phase of their lives," said Bruscato.
Busio believes Santos deserves a longer sentence for what he did, and she knows every summer will be hard for her and her children.
"That this is not justice.That my children are left without a father," she said.
Santos and his attorney requested a new trial, but that motion was denied.
With help from a translator, widow Maria Busio says, justice was not served in the Winnebago County courtroom-- in the murder of her husband ice-cream vendor Isidro Duran.
"He deserves a bigger punishment for what he did," said Busio.
Busio remembers how her husband, a native of Mexico and father of three would sell ice-cream in Rockford to support his family.
That support was cut short in July 2007 when Duran was selling ice-cream in the 700 block of Loomis Street.
He was approached by Rafael Santos and two other men, Justin Dismuke, 21 and Michael Jennings, 21.
They robbed Duran, and Santos shot him in the back four times as he tried to escape.
"He was a very good man. He never got involved with anybody. I don't know why this happened," said Busio.
Although prosecutors pushed for 85 years, Judge Gary Pumilia sentenced Santos to 70-years in prison.
Still Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscasto says, he respects the judge's decision.
"At this point in time, I'm glad to see that the family has come to the end of this very long road for them, and that they can now move to the next phase of their lives," said Bruscato.
Busio believes Santos deserves a longer sentence for what he did, and she knows every summer will be hard for her and her children.
"That this is not justice.That my children are left without a father," she said.
Santos and his attorney requested a new trial, but that motion was denied.
