Sentencing for Bessman Oakfor set for Monday

12 years after the crime, Bessman Okafor's fate will be sealed on Monday.

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The man, now nearly 40, is expected to be sentenced for the murder of 19-year-old Alex Zaldivar.

The case occurred in September 2012. According to court documents, Bessman and another man broke into Zaldivar's home just a day after the teen was supposed to testify about a home invasion that occurred over early in the year.

The 19-year-old was a key witness in the case. Two other people who were at Zaldivar's home at the time were also shot, but survived. The three men were lined up and shot in the head, execution-style, according to the victims' families.

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Okafor was out on bond for the home invasion case when the crime occurred. In previous statements, the 19-year-old's family said they believed the Okafors returned to kill the three men to prevent them from testifying.

In 2015, Bessman was sentenced to death for the murder of Alex Zaldivar, but a change in how the state handles the death penalty led to a retrial. A second attempt ended in a mistrial in 2023.

In January 2024, a jury again recommended the death penalty. The victim's family spoke out after this decision. “I'm happy he's being sent back to death row,” said Rafael Zaldivar, Alex's father. “We were looking for a 12-0. We may have to come back here in the future.

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Okafor's family also promised to rally behind him at the time. “I'm going home today with a broken heart,” said Adaure Onokala, Bessman Okafor's aunt. “Lord knows he wasn’t the one who shot that young man. I will continue to fight and pray for him until he gets justice.

That hearing is scheduled for Monday, starting at 9 a.m., at the Orange County Courthouse.

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