In his final days in office, outgoing Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon is making controversial moves, including advocating for a reduced sentence for Ricardo “Ricky” Sanders, a convicted mass shooter involved in the infamous 1980 “Bob’s Big Boy” restaurant massacre. This case has drawn significant attention due to its brutal nature and the involvement of multiple victims.
Sanders, now 69, was sentenced to death for his role in the cold-blooded killings of four individuals during the robbery and shooting at the Bob’s Big Boy on La Cienega Boulevard. Along with an accomplice, Franklin Freeman Jr., Sanders herded 11 people into a walk-in freezer, robbed them, and then shot them from behind, resulting in four deaths and several severe injuries.
Despite being on death row, Sanders has not been executed due to California’s moratorium on capital punishment and his exhaustive appeals process. Shelan Joseph, a former public defender brought in by Gascon as his “special counsel,” is now spearheading efforts for Sanders’ resentencing. The request for a sentence reduction comes after Sanders’ final appeal was exhausted, shifting the focus to potential resentencing that could significantly alter his confinement conditions.
The details of the 1980 crime remain harrowing. After forcing their way into the restaurant early in the morning, Sanders and Freeman conducted a robbery that culminated in the tragic shooting. Victims were forced to hand over valuables before being made to face the wall of the freezer and kneel, after which they were shot in a calculated and brutal manner. The massacre left a lasting impact on the community and the surviving victims.
This move by Gascon’s office has sparked outrage among victims’ families and community members, particularly due to the nature of Sanders’ crimes. Critics argue that Sanders’ actions are undeserving of any leniency, citing the premeditated and violent nature of the attack. Kathleen Cady, a prominent victims’ advocate in Los Angeles, emphasized that the horrific nature of Sanders’ actions makes him unworthy of resentencing consideration.
The case has also stirred discussions about the responsibilities of parents in supervising their children’s activities and the potential consequences of failing to do so. Gascon, who faced defeat in the recent election due to his controversial policies, has been criticized for what some perceive as a pro-criminal stance, particularly in his approaches to sentencing and criminal justice reform.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community and the victims’ families are watching closely, with many opposing the push for leniency and advocating for justice for the victims of one of Los Angeles’s darkest days. The resentencing hearing for Sanders is scheduled for November 22, where further decisions will be made regarding his fate.
