Man sentenced for murdering wife of Los Lobos singer

Gabriel Gomez, 40, the half-brother of victim Sandra Rosas, was convicted in her death even though authorities could not find her body.

The trial included DNA evidence that blood traces matching both Gomez and Mrs. Rosas, 47, were found in her abandoned van. She disappeared Oct. 23 from her home east of Los Angeles while her husband was in New Orleans.

Cesar Rosas was not in court for sentencing. Deputy District Attorney Donald Clem said it was too painful for Rosas to attend.

During sentencing, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Robert Martinez urged Gomez to tell authorities what he left the body.

"If there is any decency in you, one day, perhaps, one day not too far away, you will provide them with it (the body)," the judge told Gomez.

He said Gomez would be "haunted by the events that resulted in her death."

"I have absolutely no doubt from what I heard in this case that Sandra Rosas loved you," the judge said.

Another plea came from the victim's cousin, Ruben Robles.

"If you can find it somewhere in your head to tell us where she is, because I know you have no heart," Robles said.

Defense attorney Antonio J. Bestard filed a notice of appeal after sentencing, claiming insufficient evidence.

During final arguments Oct. 30, Clem told the jury: "The fact that a murderer successfully disposes of a body does not entitle him to an acquittal."

Gomez's first-degree murder conviction included a special circumstance of murder committed during a kidnapping, which carries an automatic sentence of life without parole. The prosecution did not seek the death penalty.

The judge added 22 years to the life term, including eight years for kidnapping - doubled to 16 years as a second strike felony - and six years related to prior convictions for arson and narcotics.

The prosecution said Mrs. Rosas helped find an apartment and job for Gomez after she discovered he was her half-brother.