Hard Time In Drive-By Man Gets 88 Years For Gang Shooting

Travis Lanphier’s first criminal conviction will likely be his last, as the 26-year-old was sentenced Friday to 88 years for his role in a gang-related, drive-by shooting.

Despite mercy pleas from Lanphier’s lawyer and new bride, Superior Court Judge Linda Tompkins declined to give the Spokane native a break on the mandatory sentence.

Lanphier was found guilty Nov. 6 of six counts of felony assault. Because the crime was violent, Lanphier must serve at least 67 years before he’s eligible for parole.

He was driving his Toyota Corolla on July 28, 1996, when Robert Esparza leaned out the window and fired Lanphier’s .45 Ruger handgun into a crowd gathered outside the Coach House Restaurant, 1107 W. First.

Five people were wounded, none seriously, although one man later lost a testicle.

Police called the shooting a skirmish in a gang war over the fertile drug territory on West First.

A man matching Esparza’s description was seen earlier that day spray ing gang graffiti.

Esparza, 31, pleaded guilty, testified against Lanphier and received a 22-year sentence. Prosecutors also offered Lanphier a plea bargain, but he requested a jury trial.

The discrepancy in sentences disturbed defense attorney Terry Ryan.

In court papers, he questioned the justice of sentencing the driver to a term four times longer than that of the shooter.

“It’s legal, but I don’t think it’s equitable or fair,” Ryan said after the sentencing.

Deputy prosecutor Mark Cipolla expressed sympathy for Lanphier. But the term should send a message that random, violent crime won’t be tolerated, he said.

“It’s what the Legislature and the statutes and the citizens require with a violent offense,” said Cipolla, who prosecutes gang-related crimes. “I feel sorry for him, but it’s a message that needs to be sent.”

Lanphier’s family - including the woman he married this spring - packed the courtroom Friday as Ryan argued for leniency.

According to court papers, Lanphier was remorseful after being arrested the night of the shooting.

“I’m going to lose my kids over this,” he told a sheriff’s deputy.

“I wish I had the last five hours to do over. I would have gone to bed.”

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Jonathan Martin Staff writer Staff writer Tom Sowa contributed to this report.