USA - California. Judge Judith Clark imposed the death sentence on Tony Ricky Yonko.

Riverside Superior Court Judge Judith Clark imposed the death sentence on Tony Ricky Yonko. A jury recommended the death penalty on February 1, 2008 (see), a second jury deadlocked on his mental competency; and a third panel decided that he was competent. Yonko was convicted for killing 42-year-old Paul Ngo, who surprised Yonko as he was stealing the victim's safe on Oct. 22, 2002. The defense argued that Yonko, 47, a semi-literate American Gypsy with no formal education and without any health, mental or social security records, was mildly retarded and not fully aware of the consequences of his actions.