Oikos University Mass Shooting Suspect Gets 7 Life Sentences
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- The man accused of killing seven people in the 2012 shooting rampage at Oikos University has been sentenced to seven life terms in prison without parole on Friday, according to authorities.
One Goh, 48, was charged with seven counts of first degree murder, three counts of premeditated attempted murder and the special circumstance allegations of committing a murder during a kidnapping and committing multiple murders for the shooting at Oikos, a Christian vocational school located near Oakland International Airport, on April 2, 2012.
Goh pleaded no contest to the charges in May.
Goh, a Korean national, said in a statement read in court by his attorney, Assistant Public Defender David Klaus, that he hopes that the fact that he will spend the rest of his life in a maximum security prison "will bring some degree of closure" to the victims' families.
"I understand the terrible and devastating impact this has had on the victims' families and the community," Goh said in the statement. "I'm very sorry and will carry this shame forever."
Klaus had previously said a key factor in making the pleas was that the Alameda County District Attorney's Office decided not to seek the death penalty.
KPIX 5 cameras were not allowed in the courtroom, but Goh entered the courtroom appearing disheveled with long hair and wearing a tan sweat suit. He sat quietly as the judge read the sentence that will place Goh behind bars in a maximum security state prison for the rest of his life.
"He's extremely sorry," said Klaus outside the courtroom after the sentencing. "He was friends with these people. This was a tragedy born of mental illness."
At the time of Goh's plea deal, District attorney's office spokeswoman Teresa Drenick said, "Given all the circumstances of this case, such as Mr. Goh's violent actions and his mental health, we believe that life in prison without the possibility is the appropriate outcome."
"The enormity and devastation of this mass shooting remains unprecedented in Alameda County," District Attorney O'Malley said in a prepared statement. "With the conclusion of this case, we know that One Goh will never again be in the position to harm any member of our community."
Prosecutors said Goh had dropped out of Oikos several months before the shooting and wanted his tuition refunded and targeted an administrator who wasn't present on the day of the shooting.
Criminal proceedings against Goh were suspended after his lawyers questioned his mental competency to stand trial. On Jan. 7, 2013, a judge ruled that he was incompetent, citing reports by two psychiatrists who examined him, and he was moved to Napa State Hospital a few months later.
Criminal proceedings against Goh were suspended after his lawyers questioned his mental competency to stand trial. On Jan. 7, 2013, a judge ruled that he was incompetent, citing reports by two psychiatrists who examined him, and he was moved to Napa State Hospital a few months later.
Goh underwent a competency hearing in 2015 after a forensic psychologist at the Napa facility found him competent to stand trial, but a judge who also heard testimony from other psychologists ruled that he was still mentally incompetent.
Family members of many of the victims spoke outside the courtroom following the sentencing.
Timothy Brown, Seymour's fiance, said that Seymour "had kindness and compassion" and was studying to become a nurse so she could help the sick and injured.
Brown said Seymour "was my soulmate and our future looked bright but it was destroyed by a brutal murderer."
Camella Seymour, Seymour's daughter, said, "These past years have been really hard" and described her mother as "a beautiful, caring and loving person."
Seymour said, "So many people have forgotten about this tragedy that I think there should be some kind of memorial for the victims so that everyone remembers."
Ping's brother, Kaine Ping, said, "The time has finally come for me and my family to close this chapter of pain and grief but our suffering will never end."
Ping said his sister "was beautiful and had a lot of aspirations in life, such as becoming a nurse," and is survived by a son who's now 9 years old.
Prosecutor Stacie Pettigrew said Goh "inflicted such irreparable harm on so many innocent people and the criminal justice system can't bring the victims back or erase the pain their loved ones feel."
Pettigrew said she hopes that the fact that Goh will never be released from prison "can bring some peace and comfort to the victims' families to know that he will never be free to inflict harm on anyone else."
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