Man convicted of killing wife and trying to kill police at a Glendale cemetery sentenced to 227 years

A 39-year-old man convicted of killing his wife and trying to kill four Glendale police officers during a shootout at Forest Lawn Memorial Park was sentenced to serve 227 years to life in prison.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge John Fisher on Thursday denied issuing probation to Rene Munoz, who in May was convicted of killing Kelly Collins-McCowen, 37, outside a Los Angeles bowling alley on April 3, 2008.

He also refused his attorney's motion for a new trial.

Immediately after being sentenced, Munoz requested to speak.

"It wasn't a fair trial," he said. "There was not substantial evidence."

Fisher quickly ordered him to be jailed, but Munoz continued to speak loudly.

"I had a bullet in my head when they shot me," he said.

A sheriff's deputy began hauling a handcuffed Munoz off, even as he spoke to Collins-McCowen's mother.

"I didn't do it," he told her.

A woman with Collins-McCowen's mother yelled at Munoz, urging him not to speak to her. As she began exiting the courtroom, she exchanged words with Munoz's family.

Collins-McCowen's mother declined to make a statement in court about the case.

Read the full Glendale News-Press story here.

-- Veronica Rocha

Comments

[jmpgodiva]

Everyone talks about "how people should "SHOW THEM RESPECT", yet it seems to me there is a GENERALIZED LACK OF RESPECT OF OTHER PEOPLE AND THEIR PROPERTY! If things don't change soon and if we can't instill in our young people, what showing respect to others and others' property, there will be a negative effect on our life in the USA. There are so many Gangs at this time. Gang members talk about how THEY want Respect, YET SHOW NONE for other people or their property. Just look at all the Graffiti around. It cost the Cities a LOT of money to clean it up-a never ending battle-Money that could be used for better books, etc for the kids in school. Women and GIRLS need to STOP having babies with guys who don't respect them enough to Marry them and aren't committed to being GOOD Fathers. Enter "Gangs". It goes on and on.

[Dave]

Another legal alien from South off The Border ? (SAC) Seriously when are troops do return from Iraq and other Countries and sadly from what our Troops have gone through they need to be Re Deployed along both borders Canada and Mexico.

We must also end the Sanctuary City Movement .
Somehow we need to get the Borders more secure .

If it takes The National Guard or any other Branch off the Services the law will have to be changed so they can serve on American Soil.

I wish there was another solution. This Garbage must stop . Cities like Long Beach are overrun with crime as the gangs continue to multiply. If arrest where made and the law enforced we just might see a change . The Federal Government needs to get off its rear and enforce the law and protect or Country Now.

[Mufon]

I heard the Times has a witness named Ana who doesn't want her last name or photo published, who will give a statement swearing Munoz was unarmed. She saw it from across the street, and the officers were yelling at him to drop his gun, even though he didn't have one.

[kuruc]

i don't want to support this scum for 227 years!

[TheBigPicture]

227 years sounds like a lot; however, he will only serve half that...Where is the justice...No Justice, No Peace...

[DLH]

This fool admitted to a friend on his cell phone that he killed his wife. He's got a bullet in his head because he rammed a police barricade in his car and they did shoot him. He and his family is in total denial, he is a dirt bag and will rot in prison.