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Murderer sentenced to 21 years

 

Convicted murderer Salvador Camargo, 28, of Sonoma, was sentenced Friday to 21 years in prison for his involvement in the death of Kenneth Swolley on May 9, 2009.

Camargo pled no contest on April 15, to voluntary manslaughter and admitted he used a firearm in the commission of his crime.

According to District Attorney Jill Ravitch, on May 9, 2009, Swolley, 52, of Penngrove, was working on stereo equipment in a home on Arnold Drive, where Camargo was renting a room. Camargo shot Swolley in the head at close range, then took the firearm and disposed of it in a vineyard pond near where the murder occurred. The firearm was ultimately recovered and determined to have been the weapon used during the killing.

Camargo was previously found incompetent to stand trial in the murder and was transferred to the Napa State Hospital. On Jan. 15, 2010, the Grand Jury indicted Camargo for the murder of Swolley with firearms enhancements.

Camargo returned to Sonoma County Superior Court on Jan. 29, 2010, and pled not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity to the charges.

Several doctors evaluated Camargo's mental health status at the time of the homicide. Additionally it was determined that Camargo had used controlled substances prior to the incident. Due to the totality of the circumstances, Camargo pled no contest to voluntary manslaughter and admitted that he used a firearm.

Friday, Camargo appeared before the Honorable Gary Medvigy for sentencing. Members of Swolley's family were present at the hearing and expressed how the tragic loss of Swolley affected their family.

The court acknowledged that despite the drug and mental health issues suffered by Camargo, he is responsible for the death of Swolley, and decided it was in the interest of justice to sentence Camargo to the maximum term of 21 years in state prison.