Adult Time for Adult Crime: Adam Sarabia

Cully Stimson / November 02, 2009

On November 9th, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences. In preparation for oral arguments, JLWOP: Faces & Cases will be an on-going series on The Foundry that will tell real stories about juvenile offenders who are currently serving LWOP sentences.

Defendant: Adam Sarabia (16)
Victims: John Ramirez and Joann Wotkyn
Crimes: Two counts of first degree murder, residential burglary and auto theft
Crime date: October 21, 2004 in Santa Paula, California

Summary
Adam Sarabia broke into a home and bludgeoned and stabbed a man and woman to death before stealing their car. He used their cell phone to brag to his friends about the crime.

Facts
John Ramirez and Joann Wotkyn, a couple in their 50s, were asleep in their bed in the early morning hours of October 21, 2004. They lived in a neat two-story house in the city of Santa Paula, California. (more…)