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Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Victim's Parents React to Landreth Sentencing

Brandon Michael Landreth, a former John Muir High School history teacher, was sentenced Tuesday to 35 years to life for killing Justo Cesar Morales at his home in the 2200 block of Canyon Road in March 2008.

Former John Muir High School history teacher Brandon Michael Landreth, as expected, was sentenced to 35 years to life without the possibility of parole Tuesday by Judge Dorothy Shubin in Pasadena Superior Court for a murder he committed in Arcadia on March 30, 2008.

on Jan. 11 to the first-degree murder of Justo Cesar Morales, 25. Landreth has already served 2 years, 11 months in jail.

Morales was shot three times when he answered the doorbell at his home in the upscale Highlands area in Arcadia. Morales had dated Landreth’s ex-wife on and off for about a year and a half, but that relationship had ended about six months prior to the murder.

At his sentencing today, Landreth spoke eloquently, promising to always remember and love his two young sons, who were in the back seat of Landreth’s car at the time of the murder.

About 40 supporters of Morales’ family attended the sentencing.

Speaking on behalf of the victim was his mother, his half-sister, Sharlene Risdon-Jackson, and his half-brother Bobby Risdon, who flew in for Denver for the sentencing.

Four friends of Morales’ also spoke. They were Keisch Wilson, Brad Berger, a neighbor, , and Candace Sanchez.

After the sentencing, family and friends gathered at the Glendora home of Sharlene Risdon-Jackson to once again express their love for Morales.

Larry Risdon, in a phone interview with Patch, said the family really appreciated the support shown to his stepson and the speeches made on his behalf.

Risdon added that they found Landreth’s speech offensive.

“He read it and it sounded like a piece of poetry,” Risdon said. “It was like he was trying to show how intelligent he is and how superior. It was a total waste of time on his part. He could have been more sincere and down to earth.

“The only redeeming part was when he expressed his love for his children.”

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