By Patrick Thatcher
Daily Press
VICTORVILLE, Calif. — It has been a long and arduous two years for San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Solorio who was shot twice after he and two other deputies responded to a Hesperia robbery Aug. 1, 2007.
But the toughest part has been the last two months as Solorio showed up in court five times to give a victim statement at the sentencing of the man who shot him, Joseph Asolelei Mulu, 26. The sentencing was continued four times as lawyers for both sides submitted sentencing motions and arguments.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Dauber submitted a brief stating why Mulu should be given the maximum sentence for attempted murder with special circumstances while defense attorney Susan Slater continued to argue issues of the case that could result in a lesser sentence.
After it was continued a fourth time on Thursday morning until Thursday afternoon Solorio said that, “I just want this to be over. I just want some closure. It makes me mad hearing about trying to get him a lighter sentence.”
Finally on Thursday afternoon the 32-yearold Solorio got his opportunity to speak. With his wife, mother, father, and sister sitting behind him Solorio expressed his emotions that had been pent up over the last two years and the frustrations at having the sentencing continued.
In his sheriff ‘s uniform and wearing his medal of valor ribbon, Solorio hesitated to gather his composure as he made his statement to Judge Miriam Morton.
“On that day he tried to kill me and my two partners. I have a wife and children and so do my partners,” Solorio said.
At that point in his statement Solorio choked back the tears as he talked about almost losing his life.
“Even though he tried to kill me and my partners, still everyday we go out there and put our life on the line and we do the right thing to keep the public safe,” Solorio said choking back the tears. “What I’m asking of you is to do your part to keep the public safe and see that he gets the maximum sentence.”
Solorio’s mother and father, Dennis and Terri Howell both gave statements expressing their feelings at having their son shot and the fear they shared that night knowing he could have died.
Mulu sat motionless as he heard the statements, appearing to stare at nothing in particular. Even though Solorio was wounded in the neck, barely missing his jugular and ear, he returned fire hitting Mulu three times in the abdomen.
Prior to handing down the sentence Morton told Mulu he should have done what his two accomplices in the robbery did, just give up.
“You didn’t do that, instead you chose to start shooting,” Morton said.
She sentenced him to 96 years and 8 months to life in prison.
“Based on the facts of the case the judge gave the right sentence,” Dauber said. " I’m thankful that Solorio is alive.”
Copyright 2009 Daily Press