Man Gets 13 Years For Murder

A man who strangled his girlfriend has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for second-degree murder.

Alphonse Depriest Noriega III told the judge in King County Superior Court Friday that he intended to kill Shavon Jackson, 18, the mother of his baby daughter.

“I have to tell the truth,” he said, but added, “my most sincere, humble apologies” to the victim’s family.

Prosecutors said Noriega was a gang member and drug user whose behavior grew increasingly violent last fall.

On Oct. 25, Jackson and Noriega’s mother testified at a civil hearing to have him committed for psychiatric treatment, but a King County Superior Court commissioner ordered him released.

The next day, Jackson was found dead in the couple’s apartment in the Skyway area of south King County.

Noriega pleaded guilty instead of arguing the insanity defense, despite evidence that he may be schizophrenic. Defense attorney Robert Leen told the judge that Noriega wanted to accept responsibility for the crime.

Members of the victim’s family spoke before sentencing.