WAYNE CODY MORITA
KIDNAPPING, RAPE, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. AGGRAVATED SODOMY
AGGRAVATED CHILD MOLESTATION, CRUELTY TO CHILDREN
GUILTY
In April, 1999, Wayne Cody Morita kidnapped 5 year old KM from in front of her home. He carried her to an isolated part of the county where he sodomize and raped her. He then strangled her to the point she lost conscientiousness and left her for dead. KM was able to give information about the car and vividly remembered her abductor. She was able to give the sketch artist a very accurate description. The sketch was provided to the media and the police immediately started receiving information about Morita. KM also gave information about a gun the man had. When police searched Morita's vehicle then found a pellet gun like the one described by the victim. During the trial, information also was provided showing Morita had abducted another girl several years prior to this incident even though he had not raped her.
MORITA
RECEIVED
LIFE FOR KIDNAPPING,
20 YEARS FOR RAPE, CONSECUTIVE,
30 YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED CHILD MOLESTATION, CONSECUTIVE
10 YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CONSECUTIVE,
AND
10 YEARS CONCURRENT FOR CRUELTY TO CHILDREN
The total sentence would be Life plus 70 years. (Rape and Aggravated Child Molestation are serious violent felonies and the defendant must serve 100% of the sentence imposed, without the possibility of parole. Aggravated Assault is presently designated by the Board of Pardon and Paroles as a 90% crime, and the defendant will be required to complete 90% of the 10 years before he will be eligible for any parole.)
PROSECUTORS
DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Patrick Head, District
Attorney
Jimmy Berry
Russ Parker, Sr. Asst. District Attorney
Eleanor Dixon Asst. District Attorney