Last defendant pleads in motel death

The final defendant in a 1998 motel-room beating death has pleaded guilty to battery with a deadly weapon.

Fred Fred, 22, was the last of 12 defendants charged in the beating death of Sammy Resendiz, 25, on Aug. 23, 1998, at the Round House Inn Motel. A second man, Carlos Lainez, was injured in the assault.

He could be sentenced to up to five years in prison at an April 17 court hearing.

Police say Fred, Rocky Boice Jr., Jessica Evans, Sylvia Fred, Clint Malone, Elvin Fred, Jaron Malone, Michael Kizer, Alejandro Avila, Lew Dutchy, David Moyle and Julian Contreras -- who were between the ages of 16 and 25 at the time of the attack -- went to the motel in retaliation for Evans being hit earlier in the evening by Hispanic gang member, Israel Ralla.

When the group returned hours later armed with bats, chains and clubs, Ralla was gone, but Lainez, Resendiz and Carolee Simpson were there watching television.

Lainez was beaten unconscious. Resendiz was mortally wounded and died 13 hours later from head injuries.

Rocky Boice Jr., 24, was tried and convicted of second-degree murder in September. He was sentenced to 20 to 50 years in prison.

Other defendants pleaded guilty to lesser charges.