Kenosha---The outcome of Andrew Obregon’s sentencing—life in prison without the possibility of release---could hardly have been in doubt. Yet Tuesday's sentencing hearing was not void of emotion and tension.
Obregon is the rural Kenosha man who eluded law enforcement for 24 days in 2015 while committing a series of crimes that included, murder, attempted murder, robbery and fleeing. In recommending a true life sentence, Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley called the offenses a "once in a generation" crime spree that permanently altered the view of many rural residents that their neighborhoods were almost immune from dangerous crime.
In a conversation with a pre-sentence report writer from the State Department of Corrections a few months ago, Obregon seemed to blame everyone but himself: Law enforcement, for taking no action in the robbery of Obregon's nephew by the man whom Obregon eventually wound up killing. A crack cocaine addiction for clouding his judgment. And extensive media coverage for creating an atmosphere that extended his flight out of fear.
"It's your fault," responded Judge Chad Kerkman just before imposing the sentence that prompted some Obregon family members to break down in tears.
Obregon's public-defender attorney described her client as a 'happy-go-lucky' guy who worked hard at being a mechanic and taking care of his three children. But Kerkman said, "A good father doesn't murder people."
Over a dozen friends and relatives of Obregon were in court as a show of support. Obregon acknowledged their presence both on his way in and out of court.
Toward the end of the hearing, Obregon interrupted the judge with profanity, and then called him a dirty name on the way out. He had to be hustled through the door by a sheriff's deputy.
Afterward, some members of Obregon’s family verbally sparred with deputies after they were requested to remain in their seats in order to allow the family of the murdered victim to leave first. One said to a deputy, "You think any of this is over?"
Reached later, Sheriff Dave Beth, who is well-acquainted with Obregon and his relatives, downplayed the seriousness of any threats, saying it was a "rough day for the Obregon family."
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