Cal City Couple receives 15-year-to-life sentence in West trial

A California City couple, Trezell and Jacqueline West, who were found guilty of causing the death and disappearance of their adoptive sons, Orrin and Orson West, have been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. The Court TV reported the development.

According to Keisha Stevenson, a close friend of the biological family, the boys are still missing, and their family has been left with nothing. They are currently in a state of uncertainty, not knowing the whereabouts of the boys.

Trezell West was captured in a photo where he is seen intently listening to the closing arguments during his trial. The image on Tuesday showed West’s focused demeanour as he awaits the verdict.

The past three years have been incredibly challenging for the family and loved ones of Orrin and Orson West, initially named Cincere and Classic Pettus. This period has been rife with heartbreak, prolonged investigations, and agonizing testimonies that have significantly affected everyone involved.

Lead prosecutor Eric Smith said he had never met Cincere and Classic, stating, “I went in every day to fight for their justice because they deserved it.” Smith remained dedicated to their cause and worked tirelessly to ensure justice was served.

In December 2020, Trezell and Jacqueline reported their adoptive sons missing. However, this past May, they were found guilty of several charges, including second-degree murder. Courttv.com has covered this case extensively, and you can find more information by checking out their tag on Trezell and Jacqueline.

In a heartfelt plea to the court, Alekxia Torres Stallings, the attorney representing Jaqueline, implored the judge to consider probation a suitable sentence for her client. She emphasized that Jaqueline had already significantly suffered and lost everything and urged the court to consider this when deciding.

In response to Torres Stallings’ plea, Judge Charles Brehmer clarified that Jaqueline West is not the victim. The request was denied.

During the trial, Jacqueline West was seen listening intently as Trezell West’s counsel presented their closing arguments on Tuesday. The image captured by KERO showed her attentively following the proceedings.

The judge, Brehmer, has announced the sentence for both Trezell and Jacqueline on the charge of second-degree murder and willful cruelty to a child. They have been sentenced to 15 years to life, and the sentences will run concurrently.

As the family members sat inside the courtroom, eagerly waiting to confront the defendant, they were disappointed as the opportunity never presented itself.

Stevenson expressed her disappointment and frustration, questioning the purpose of writing victim impact statements if they would not be read. “We are hurt for the simple fact of what was the point of writing those victim impact statements if we couldn’t read them? We wrote those,” she stated. Her words echoed the sentiment of many others who felt their voices were unheard.

When the family arrived in the courtroom, they were informed that only written impact statements would be considered. Although disappointed, they still believed they deserved the chance to face the couple and plead with them to disclose the location of the boys’ remains.

After careful deliberation, the jury found the couple guilty on five of the seven charges brought against them.

According to Cynthia Zimmer, the District Attorney, her office decided not to pursue a retrial for the two remaining counts as a gesture of consideration towards the other children of the Wests.

The source of this story can be found on Scripps News Bakersfield, an E.W. Scripps Company. The story was initially published there.

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