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Member of Asian gang sentenced to 33 years

He had pleaded guilty to a second-degree murder charge in a 2004 car chase and shooting.

By Abhi Raghunathan, Times Staff Writer
Published November 6, 2007

LARGO - Again and again, judges and police told Seth Walker to leave his Asian Pride gang buddies behind.

But Walker kept ignoring the warning, kept getting arrested. Three years ago, when he was just 17, he was arrested for second-degree murder for his role in a car chase and shooting that led to the killing of 18-year-old Xaisomdeth Sayavongkeo, who was also associated with the Asian Pride gang.

Walker pleaded guilty to being a principal to second-degree murder along with other charges. On Monday, he appeared before Judge J. Thomas McGrady for his sentencing. His friends and family also came and asked for mercy.

Instead, Judge McGrady said Walker, now 20, had squandered enough second chances. He sentenced him to 33 years for the murder charge, and additional concurrent sentences for various other charges.

"What is apparent is that you were given multiple opportunities through the court system, the juvenile court system to demonstrate that you had your life together," McGrady said. "You appear to have a lot of good qualities, but you made some choices ... for which you must accept responsibility and be held accountable."

Walker's mother sobbed as the sentence was read. Walker stared at the judge and didn't make a sound.

Police have identified dozens of St. Petersburg residents as members of Asian gangs. Investigators say Asian gangs are more common in the city than other gangs.

Aaron Slavin, a prosecutor with the State Attorney's office who handles gang-related crimes, said he was pleased with the sentence. John Thor White, who represented Walker, said he had no comment.

Walker was the driver of a car that chased Sayavongkeo through the streets of St. Petersburg in 2004. Men Sorn, the man in Walker's car who fired at Sayavongkeo, was recently sentenced to 35 years in prison for second-degree murder.

Karen Walker Touisithiphonexay, Walker's mother, testified that her son was immature and had just made a bad decision the day of the murder. She also said she didn't know about his involvement with other Asian gang members.

"He was doing real good. He was working," she said. "What happened that day, I don't know."

But Slavin pointed out that Walker never left the gang lifestyle behind. In fact, he appeared in court with jailhouses tattoos that St. Petersburg police detective Bryan Sims said were common features of gang members: two teardrops under his right eye. He also had the word "life" tattooed on one eyelid and the word "death" on the other.

"He essentially has given himself further ink, further jailhouse tattoos in what I would submit to you is an attempt to get himself ready for his sentence," Slavin said. "He is not an individual with a stellar record."

Abhi Raghunathan can be reached at araghunathan@sptimes.com or 727 893-8472.

LARGO - Again and again, judges and police told Seth Walker to leave his Asian Pride gang buddies behind.

But Walker kept ignoring the warning, kept getting arrested. Three years ago, when he was just 17, he was arrested for second-degree murder for his role in a car chase and shooting that led to the killing of 18-year-old Xaisomdeth Sayavongkeo, who was also associated with the Asian Pride gang.

Walker pleaded guilty to being a principal to second-degree murder along with other charges. On Monday, he appeared before Judge J. Thomas McGrady for his sentencing. His friends and family also came and asked for mercy.

Instead, Judge McGrady said Walker, now 20, had squandered enough second chances. He sentenced him to 33 years for the murder charge, and additional concurrent sentences for various other charges.

"What is apparent is that you were given multiple opportunities through the court system, the juvenile court system to demonstrate that you had your life together," McGrady said. "You appear to have a lot of good qualities, but you made some choices ... for which you must accept responsibility and be held accountable."

Walker's mother sobbed as the sentence was read. Walker stared at the judge and didn't make a sound.

Police have identified dozens of St. Petersburg residents as members of Asian gangs. Investigators say Asian gangs are more common in the city than other gangs.

Aaron Slavin, a prosecutor with the State Attorney's office who handles gang-related crimes, said he was pleased with the sentence. John Thor White, who represented Walker, said he had no comment.

Walker was the driver of a car that chased Sayavongkeo through the streets of St. Petersburg in 2004. Men Sorn, the man in Walker's car who fired at Sayavongkeo, was recently sentenced to 35 years in prison for second-degree murder.

Karen Walker Touisithiphonexay, Walker's mother, testified that her son was immature and had just made a bad decision the day of the murder. She also said she didn't know about his involvement with other Asian gang members.

"He was doing real good. He was working," she said. "What happened that day, I don't know."

But Slavin pointed out that Walker never left the gang lifestyle behind. In fact, he appeared in court with jailhouses tattoos that St. Petersburg police detective Bryan Sims said were common features of gang members: two teardrops under his right eye. He also had the word "life" tattooed on one eyelid and the word "death" on the other.

"He essentially has given himself further ink, further jailhouse tattoos in what I would submit to you is an attempt to get himself ready for his sentence," Slavin said. "He is not an individual with a stellar record."

Abhi Raghunathan can be reached at araghunathan@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8472.

[Last modified November 6, 2007, 11:27:26]