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Father sentenced to 20-30 years in baby's death

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Dec 06, 2007 - 06:22:28 pm CST

Peter Sinica Jr. was sentenced Thursday to 20 to 30 years in prison in the death of his 2-month-old daughter, Tori Stone.

Sinica, 33, of Lincoln, will be eligible for parole in about 10 years under the sentence imposed by Lancaster County District Judge Steve Burns.

In a courtroom nearly filled with family and spectators, a tearful Sinica apologized to the girl’s mother and his own parents for the actions he took on an early July morning that led to the death of his daughter, known as Jaden to the Sinica family.

Story Photo
Peter Sinica

“She was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Sinica said, turning toward his parents and Jaden’s mother, seated in the gallery.

“I will always love you,” he said to the mother. “No matter what you say or think. You gave me the greatest gift in the world.”

Jaden died at an Omaha hospital July 27, 2006, from a brain injury. A Lancaster County jury convicted Sinica in October of intentional child abuse resulting in death.

Sinica admitted in testimony that he shook the girl, but he said he did so only to revive her when she showed signs of illness. 


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Sad wrote on December 6, 2007 6:20 pm:
" How sad it is that a child died, what gets me is that in retrospect he realizes what a gift his child was and how much she meant to him. So many children die at the hands of a parent who is unprepared for the stress, lack of sleep, and lack of parenting skill. I am truly sad for these families, yet also glad that justice for Tori will be served. "

 Don wrote on December 6, 2007 8:32 pm:
" What good does it do when a guilty person apologizes in court? The child is still dead; I'se sowwy isn't going to change that. "

 Dave Rice wrote on December 6, 2007 9:17 pm:
" I think ten years.... not enough, no way! "

 JJ wrote on December 6, 2007 10:20 pm:
" Why is it that when you kill another adult you get life in prison or close to it, but when you kill a defenseless child you can be out in 10 years? I've seen this done over and over and it makes me sick. Where is the logic? "

 Sorry wrote on December 7, 2007 6:21 am:
" Though his crime is horrible, I think it was nice for hime to apologize to the mother and his parents. That will never bring the baby back, but at least there is regret and not total denial and anger. May God be with the babie's family it has to be the most horrible pain. "

 Diane wrote on December 7, 2007 8:03 am:
" 10 years? That's it. Kill a child, serve 10 years, then out for a second chance. A child is dead and this is the penalty? What a travesty. Our justice system needs an enema. "

 ??????? wrote on December 7, 2007 9:02 am:
" 10 years????? Nowhere near enough. The justice systems is making it too easy to kill someone and practically get away with it. He is sorry now, but that poor little girl is still gone....his case is just as bad as the end result in the turco case...they both got off with free room and board...and then get to go back out and run free while their victims are both gone and the families still feel the loss and will for quite some time...Bad call Judge!!!!!!!!! "

 just curious wrote on December 7, 2007 10:44 am:
" what would you do if your baby was unresponsive? would you panic? what about choking? would you panic? if so what would your first instinct be to do? "

 Kristine wrote on December 7, 2007 12:32 pm:
" Why is it that the majority of people reading the article jump to the eligible parole time, and call that their sentence?? Do you have law degrees, and work with the legislature and/or court system to change the laws? Of course not. He'll be eligible for parole in 10 years. So what. That's how it works. Nobody thought this man murdered his child with malicious intent. That's the point of the sentence. Do you even know the background to what happened here? Doubt it. "

 Disgusting wrote on December 7, 2007 1:49 pm:
" This man is obviously remorseful for what he has done. I think eligibility for parole in 10 years is justice. Think about it, people. I know everyone likes to go on and on about how prisoners have a posh life, cable TV, three square meals a day and a place to sleep. But they also don't get the very basic freedoms the rest of us have. Going outside anytime we want to enjoy a pretty day. Taking a drive for the heck of it. Attending dinner or going out with friends or family. Being able to see our loved ones pretty much whenever we want. Buying something out of impulse you don't really need because it makes you feel better at the moment. Prison is prison, whether there's cable TV or not. He's going to serve at LEAST 10 years for the crime he's committed, and for which he has said he's sorry. Not to mention that HE has to live with the fact that he inadvertently killed his own daughter. Don't be so quick to say he's got it easy now. Try walking a mile in his shoes before you say that- and judge not, lest ye be judged. "

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