Family Forgives Teen Who Killed Hero

INDIANAPOLIS -- The family of a man shot to death when he tried to help a woman who was being robbed said they have forgiven his killer.

The teen responsible for killing Mario Gonzalez, 72, was sentenced to 80 years in prison Wednesday in Marion Superior Court, 6News' Derrik Thomas reported.

Gonzalez was recognized as a hero for what he did at 11 p.m. on June 30, 2008 -- an act of courage and kindness that led to his untimely demise.

Gonzalez came to the aid of a woman who was being robbed at gunpoint as she went to her car outside Mr. Gyros restaurant on West 38th Street.

Dominique Staten, then 16, had just bought a stolen gun from a friend and had gone on a crime spree, robbing a woman at gunpoint. Gonzalez stood up for the victim.

"He heard her crying out for help. He looked over and saw her being robbed by Mr. Staten," said Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Courtney Curtis. "He aimed the firearm that he had a right to carry and then he lost his life."

Gonzalez died from a single .357-caliber bullet to the abdomen. His gun was found at the scene, but he did not get off a shot.

Gonzalez's family gave emotional testimony in court, but said they forgive the defendant and hope he helps others while serving 80 years behind bars.

"He can go in there and help someone else to become a better person," said Mario Gonzalez, the victim's son. "It can trickle down. It can spread. That's what we're hoping for."

Staten's attorney, Eugene Kress, said his client wants to better himself.

"He's done a lot of work since he was initially incarcerated, furthering his education," Kress said. "His goal is to continue that. He's going to, I hope, use his time wisely."

The woman whom Gonzalez tried to help still works at the restaurant, but she lives in fear and declined an interview request. She told Thomas that Gonzalez is her hero and that she will never forget what he did for her.

"He was a bold man. He was a fearless man," said Aldo Gonzalez, another of the victim's sons. "He would have done it for anybody."