Man Involved in 'Robbery Gone Bad' Fatal Shooting Sentenced to 7 Years

A man who admitted his involvement in the shooting death of a Carlsbad resident during a robbery gone bad in the victim's garage was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in state prison.

Michael Gault, 32, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of 63-year-old Michael Sahagun, who was found dead in the detached garage of his North County home about 1:30 a.m. on April 1, 2011. Witnesses testified that the plan was to rob the victim of drugs and cash.

Joseph Verkade, the 36-year-old triggerman, was convicted in June of first-degree murder and is scheduled to be sentenced next week to life in prison.

Co-defendant Grant Hunter, 25, who was present during the attempted robbery, was also convicted of first-degree murder and was previously sentenced to life without parole plus six years.

Other defendants in the case included 22-year-old Mercedes Yorba, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, and Heather Strauch, 34, who pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 19.

Gary Gomez, 29, and Marilyn March pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact and were sentenced to three years in prison, while Jason Breer, 42, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and will be sentenced Oct. 17.

—City News Service