Criminal sentenced to 428 years
Gary Clow was sentenced Thursday to 428 years in prison after pleading guilty to habitual criminal charges and offering an apology to his latest victims.
Midway through his trial this week, Clow, 35, pleaded guilty to tying up Ralph and Patricia Belcastro and robbing them at gunpoint last year.
After pleading guilty to habitual criminal charges Thursday, the court sat briefly while Mesa County District Court Judge Brian Flynn decided on a sentence.
“Not only did you point your .357 magnum at him ... but you actually pulled the hammer back and asked ‘Have you ever had your kneecaps blown off?’ ” Flynn said before handing down the sentence. “It was terrifying to listen to (testimony), to imagine what they felt that night.”
Mesa County Chief Deputy District Attorney Rich Tuttle refused to offer his opinion on the extraordinary length of the sentence, but said, “The point is we took the position he should never get out and victimize anyone else in his lifetime, and he won’t.”
It is still not clear why Clow targeted the Belcastros or to whom he was speaking on the walkie-talkie he carried with him during the robbery.
“The robber asked, ‘Do you want me to snuff them?’ To that the man at the other end replied, ‘It’s up to you,’ ” Ralph Belcastro testified Tuesday.
Clow’s trial for the robbery and assault was scheduled to take all week, but he pleaded guilty Wednesday morning after a day of the Belcastros testimony.
Ralph Belcastro said his and Patricia’s lifestyle has changed since the crime occurred 13 months ago; they are more aware of their surroundings and always have the security system on.
He was also full of praise for local law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office.
“The lead detective on this case, Ed Prescott, put in more hours than you can imagine. As far as I am concerned, he is a knight in shining armor, not only him, but the people who work with him,” Ralph Belcastro said. “Believe me, people, they are working for you ... you do not realize how valuable they are to the community.”
Flynn noted that Clow would receive 308 days credit for time served.
