Martinez, CA: Boyfriend sentenced after pleading guilty in 2009 killing

By Rick Hurd
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 09/16/2011 06:41:02 PM PDT
Updated: 09/16/2011 07:26:47 PM PDT

MARTINEZ -- An Antioch man who killed his on-again, off-again girlfriend in a drunken rage two years ago was sentenced to 14 years behind bars after pleading guilty Friday to voluntary manslaughter and two other charges.
Aaron Caleb Johnson, 48, also pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault by force likely to produce great bodily injury for his role in the July 25, 1999, death of Deborah Ann Larmey. According to investigators, Johnson and Larmey dated intermittently, and on the day of the killing were involved in a daylong series of arguments at her home.
Judge Garrett Grant said he was satisfied with the deal, which required Johnson to admit his guilt when he entered his plea. Johnson initially pleaded no contest to all three counts, which would have allowed a guilty plea without an acknowledgment of guilt.
That detail seemed to be little consolation to Larmey's family. Three members addressed the court and expressed their outrage that the case was not going to trial.
"I don't believe we should be here discussing a deal," Larmey's sister, Beth Larmey, said. "This isn't justice."
"It's not unusual for the family members of homicide victims not to be satisfied with the sentence," prosecutor Molly Manoukian said. "And that only makes sense."
Johnson did not speak during the sentencing, except to enter his plea. He stood expressionless throughout the proceeding and looked down when Larmey's family spoke.
Investigators
Advertisement

said Johnson killed Larmey after a long, tumultuous relationship. A roommate of the two, Chris Vetterli, told investigators that the two engaged in a dance that teetered between extreme affection and borderline violence.
He killed her during a night of drinking heavily, Manoukian said. Alcohol and drug use by both parties were some of the factors in the decision to reach a plea agreement, she said.
Rick Hurd covers crime. Contact him at 925-945-4780 and follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/3rdERH.