Fairfield mother given probation in fatal fire that killed four children

Posted: 02/03/2012 12:16:01 PM PST

A Fairfield mother convicted of involuntary manslaughter and felony child endangerment charges in connection with a fatal 2010 apartment fire that killed four children was ordered her to serve 10 years of formal probation on Friday.

Solano County Superior Court Judge Peter B. Foor sentenced Shetarra James, 25, to 15 years, four months in state prison, but suspended the sentence provided she complies with the terms of her probation. The sentencing hearing included pleas from a handful of supporters asking for leniency, including two jurors who sat through the three week trial last year.

At the conclusion of that trial, James was acquitted of second-degree murder charges but found guilty of the lesser offenses. The conviction stemmed from a April 28, 2010, Delaware Street apartment fire that killed James' three children, 4-year-old Robert Charles Jr., 2-year-old Nevaeh Nunn and 1-year-old Keviana Morgan. A fourth child, 2-year-old Natalie Rogers, the daughter of James' sister, Latisha, also died in the fire but prosecutors dismissed charges against Latisha in July with the possibility of refiling them later.

Testimony revealed that the two sisters left the children alone in the apartment, which had no electricity, with candles burning. The three youngest children were strapped into strollers and prosecutors believe that the oldest, Robert Charles, knocked over one of the candles, starting the blaze.

For more detail, see Saturday's print and online editions of The Reporter.

Unbelievable!!!

Does anybody know how to get rid of a judge?! This is sickening...

Enyo Barbi wrote:

Unbelievable!!!
Does anybody know how to get rid of a judge?! This is sickening...

You mean, like put out a contract on him?

Rickster wrote:

<quoted text>
You mean, like put out a contract on him?

Well, not really. lol! I meant judges are either elected or appointed, right? Do they ever get fired?
I just cannot believe this.

Enyo Barbi wrote:

<quoted text>Well, not really. lol! I meant judges are either elected or appointed, right? Do they ever get fired?
I just cannot believe this.

Barbi, judges can be impeached by state or federal legislative bodies - the same way as a President can be impeached.

Disgusting! Didn't the newspaper paint her as a hooker advertizing on-line who was out in the parking lot getting doped up???? At least 25yrs to life?????

This is a fair and just outcome. Shetarra will get the help she needs and if she violates probation she will go to jail just like you want.

Un-freaking-believable! This REALLY makes me mad!
Tie that skanks's tubes IMMEDIATELY!!!

Emjoe wrote:

Un-freaking-believable! This REALLY makes me mad!
Tie that skanks's tubes IMMEDIATELY!!!

I don't think I've ever been so outraged over a sentence. This judge will not here the end of this, ever.
Can anything be done to change it?

Those of you who are without sin can cast the first stone.

I'm sure there are plenty people ready to cast the first stone; sinner or not. What this woman allowed to happen is beyond forgiviness.

Jesus the Christ wrote:

Those of you who are without sin can cast the first stone.

How about...those of us that haven't killed 4 kids can cast the first stone???

Emjoe wrote:

<quoted text>How about...those of us that haven't killed 4 kids can cast the first stone???

You are indeed a true idiot. This conversation is over. You can go directly to Hell. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.00.

Emjoe wrote:

Un-freaking-believable! This REALLY makes me mad!
Tie that skanks's tubes IMMEDIATELY!!!

You never worked out your anger issues when you were in the Marine Corps. did you.

Jesus the Christ wrote:

<quoted text>You are indeed a true idiot. This conversation is over. You can go directly to Hell. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.00.

That's a good one, Hay-Zeus. Your 8-year-old kid write that one for you?
"This conversation is over!"??? Really???

Jesus the Christ wrote:

Those of you who are without sin can cast the first stone.

CAST.

This is crazy, I heard about this on the news last night and couldn't believe it.

That is totally BS.

From what I have heard she is with child yet again, can anyone confirm?

GoodGuy wrote:

That is totally BS.
From what I have heard she is with child yet again, can anyone confirm?

I remember that one of them got knocked up while she was out on bail but I don't know which one.

This verdict is fair and just. You can't turn the clock back. I'm sure this was an accident. Still Shetarra is free today to pull herself up and move forward with her shattered life.

What I don't understand is the righteous indignation of you all here, but never a single word of sorrow or support for the unborn children that are aborted every Tuesday at Planned Parenthood in Fairfield.

These four children can die tragically in an accidental fire due to carelessness, but a purposeful act of selfishness bringing an end the the life of an unborn child goes unnoticed, remains anonymous and is ignored by you folks.