3 men sentenced after pleading guilty in 2021 fatal shooting of former SJ officer Kevin Nishita

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- An Alameda County judge sentenced three men involved in the fatal shooting of Kevin Nishita, a retired San Jose police officer, who was working as a private security guard for a TV news crew in Oakland.

"There are no winners today. There are no winners here. Kevin will never come home," says Kevin's widow, Virginia. "And I miss Kevin."

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Nishita was shot the day before Thanksgiving in 2021. He died in the hospital three days later. Tuesday's sentencing ends a 4-year-long case.

"And today justice did prevail. Again, it did. These three men received what the law was able to give them," says Virginia.

Mrs. Nishita wanted life without parole. But instead, 31-year-old Laron Gilbert, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. He is eligible for parole after age 50.

His two co-defendants, Hershel Hale and Shadihia Mitchell, who admitted to robbing Nishita, both got 25 years in prison. They are eligible for parole in about 15 years, with 85% of their sentenced to be served.

"I thanked the three defendants for admitting guilt, taking responsibility and accountability. And that's what Kevin would want. Kevin was a true believer that if you do the crime, you do the time," says Virginia.

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Frank Venuti was friends with Nishita for decades. He read a victim statement at the sentencing.

"One thing I could do to pay Kevin back. Make sure that I could give my statement to make sure everyone understood what he meant to me, what he mean to his family. So when those folks come for parole, 15-20 years from now, the prole board will understand the impact it had in our lives and hopefully keep them behind bars longer," says Venuti.

Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom. An overflow room was set up to accommodate friends and family of both of the Nishita family and the defendants.

Gilberts attorney read a statement apologizing to the Nishita family and to his own family, expressing remorse. But some questioned his sincerity.

"If (he) is, good for him. It is the first step that he needs to take," says Virginia. "We are devasted. We are traumatized."

The three men will be given credit for time served.

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