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No parole for 13 years for Surrey roommate killer

Convicted of second-degree murder last month for shooting Luna Morales, court sets Lester Oseguera's parole eligibility.
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José Hector Luna Morales

Convicted murderer Lester Olivia Buezo Oseguera will have to wait 13 years before he can apply for parole.

In May, a 12-member jury found him guilty of several weapons charges and second-degree murder, a conviction that carries a mandatory life sentence.

On Thursday (June 14), B.C. Supreme Court Justice Catherine Wedge set Oseguera's parole eligibility at 13 years. He also faces a lifetime firearms ban.

Crown prosecutors had asked that Oseguera not be allowed to apply for parole for 15 to 20 years.

It was nearly two years ago that Oseguera, 30, shot and killed his housemate José Hector Luna Morales (José Luna). During a lengthy trial that began in April, the jury heard that Oseguera was high on cocaine when he first shot at another roommate's friend – missing her – before turning the gun toward 28-year-old Luna and firing the fatal shot.

Police officers testified that Oseguera also fired at them before running from the scene near 112 Avenue and 138 Street on Aug. 30, 2010. He was located with the help of a police dog a few blocks away from the Whalley neighbourhood home.

In court, Oseguera did not deny shooting Luna but testified it was an accident and that he had been on a month-long crack cocaine binge.

Luna had moved to Surrey from El Salvador in 2008 on a work visa to be a painter. His mother and sister, who travelled from Central America for the trial in New Westminster, said he was a kind, responsible and well-liked young man.