Justice for Jeff Cortinez: South Pasadena Teen Gets 12 Years for Hitting Rival in Head With Bat

By Simone Wilson Thu., Feb. 24 2011 at 5:00 PM

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The victim, Jeffrey Cortinez

When Elijah Stinson was just 17 years old, in February 2008, he made the terrible decision of walking up behind Jeffrey Cortinez with an aluminum bat and a bone to pick -- then brought that sucker down (the bat, not the bone) right on top of the 18-year-old's head.

If a goose egg had been all that resulted, Stinson might not be where he is today. But the bat hit Cortinez in a way that caused "severe brain injuries from which he is still trying to recuperate with the help of rehabilitation and around-the-clock nursing care," according to Pasadena Police Sergeant Jim Valencia [San Gabriel Valley Tribune].

So, this morning, a Pasadena Superior Court judge handed the now 20-year-old Stinson...

... a whopping seven years for "attempted murder without premeditation" and five more for "assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury."

Though Stinson was only 17 at the time, he's been tried as an adult since the beginning -- and, though he originally pled "not guilty," today's sentence was the result of a "guilty" plea deal. Stinson's girlfriend at the time, Jeniell Galvan-Franco, already served her three years (for driving the getaway car) and is currently out on parole.

Of course, outlook is even less good for Cortinez, who'll struggle with his injuries for life. Flashback to Garfield Park in South Pasadena at about 11 p.m., courtesy of the Tribune:

Stinson, then 17 years old, walked up behind then-18-year-old South Pasadena High School student Jeffrey Cortinez on Feb. 1, 2008, and struck him in the head with a baseball bat, investigators said. ...
Stinson was believed to have held a grudge against Cortinez for several weeks, ever since Cortinez had become part of a fight involving one of Stinson's friends.

Sergeant Valencia described today's sentencing as "emotional," adding that "(Cortinez's mother) and Jeffrey Cortinez's younger brohather spoke to the court and to Stinson directly about the physical, emotional and financial toll the unprovoked attack has taken on Jeffrey Cortinez and his family."

Two Facebook groups in support of the victim -- "Prayers for Jeff Cortinez" and "THE *JEFFREY CORTINEZ* GROUP" -- were originally used as fundraising hubs, but went quiet around fall of last year.

[@simone_electra/swilson@laweekly.com]

Tags:

assault weapons, attempted murder, baseball bat, Elijah Stinson, Garfield Park, Jeffrey Cortinez, South Pasadena

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Fiveminoffunk

The boy deserved it I am glad Elijah did what he did point blank period...

Get the facts straight

This attack was not unprovoked. The article fails to address the fact that Jeff is a gang member apart of Sur Trece. He and his friend physically attacked Elijah and called him racist names.

since you are "CERTAIN" he was in a gang wouldnt that mean u are in it to and also his FREIND not him that is a retarded remark and again GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT i think no i know that i know more than u

U are Retarded exuse my language he was not in any gang (jeffrey Corinez) and it fails to adress how wrong elijah was and how wrong u currently are

Y dont u get ur facts straight before u post false bs like that sine ur username is Get the facts right u should really practice what you preech

and how can he be a gang member hes in a coma getting ur facts wrong *AGAIN*

The Truth

That may be but wasn't Elijah also a Gang member and didn't he use to torture people all the time. To be honest i think he got off easy since the fact was that Elijah was seen at school with a bat several hours prior to the event. I honestly believe that the attack was premeditated and he should pay the full penalty under California law and made an example of.

Simonee wilson Why did u say "then brought that sucker down" That is very uncalled for and very inapropriate.And also those facebook groups are not the only ones and they have not gone quiet for sure.There is also A cause and fan page on facebook that have not gone quiet either. It would be nice if you could please rewrite that in an update.

Erinn

hello,I agree with the part about bringing that sucker down,being very inapropriat.They made this sound as though this is not a big deal!!This is a horrible and disgusting act.There is a difference in thinking and doing,even thinking it is bad but doing it is just unspeakable.God bless him and his family!The justice system may not have much justice for jeff,but god will bring judgment to his attacker.

Thank you and Simone wilson you have still not changed it

Linda

"struggle with his injuries for life" is a gross understatement. Jeff cannot walk or feed himself, is in close to a vegetative state, and has only minimal cognition.