Morua sentenced, slams Congresswoman Lois Capps

May 29, 2014

After a Santa Barbara Superior Court judge sentenced Congresswoman Lois Capps’ former representative Raymond Morua to 20 years to life for manslaughter, Morua apologized to the victim’s family before making harsh accusations against his former boss. [KEYT]

In December, Morua, 32, left a holiday party he was attending as Capp’s representative, struck and killed Dies and then fled the scene. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Wednesday. Morua will be eligible for parole after serving 10 years in prison.

In a statement to the court, Morua slammed Capps for not taking any responsibility for Dies death and for deceiving Dies’ family. Morua’s attorney Darryl Genis said Capps is clearly putting her family and her interests ahead of those of the Dies’ family.

“I am disappointed in her slanderous attempt to assassinate my character and to deny the fact that I was on the job the night of the accident,” Morua said at his sentencing. “The lengths they are willing to go to distance themselves from me and the truth is appalling.”

Capps said she is praying for the family and denied that Morua was working as her representative when he attended the holiday party, Capps said in a statement to KYET

“Raymond attended the Santa Barbara Independent party of his own volition,” Capps said. “Regardless, no one should ever get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence.”

Shortly after Morua was arrested, Capps’ staffers allegedly forged documents in an attempt to get Morua out of jail and into a rehab center for vets. After Dies was pronounced brain dead and taken off life support, Capps’ office began claiming that Morua was not authorized to attend the Santa Barbara Independent holiday party and that he may have taken the invitation he used to enter the party off another staffer’s desk.