Medford, Ore. — It was an emotional day in a Jackson County courtroom as Othon Robert Campos was sentenced for his involvement in the death of a well-known Ashland man Frank Damiano, who was also known as Tony Dellapenna.
Jackson County District Attorney Beth Heckert said Damiano was tied up and died from a stab wound at his Ashland home in October 2013.
On Friday, Damiano’s family was in court and spoke to the man involved.
“In Ashland he was Tony Dellapenna. I could never call him Tony. He was my Frank,” said Damiano’s former wife Linda Kennedy.
The two were married for 30 years before they parted ways.
“When we parted ways we still loved each other,” said Kennedy.
In court, Kennedy reminisced about the man she fell in love with.
“I fell in love with [him] the first night of college,” she recalled.
“Frank was more than a husband, he’s the man I grew up with… I loved fighting with him. I loved laughing with him. I loved raising a family with him,” continued Kennedy.
Damiano’s son Adam, was also in court and spoke directly to Campos.
“I want to say I forgive you because that’s what my dad would want me to do, forgive you,” said Damiano’s son.
Othon Robert Campos, one of the men involved in Damiano’s death, sat silently listening and tearing up.
In September, Campos pleaded guilty to Felony Murder, as well as Robbery and Burglary in the First Degree.
On Friday Campos was sentenced to a life term in prison. Under Oregon law that’s a minimum of 25 years for the Felony Murder charge. He was also sentenced to 90 months for the Robbery charge and 37 months for the Burglary charge. The sentencing for the Robbery and Burglary charges will run concurrent. Campos will also have to pay $3251.22 in restitution, much of it will help cover funeral costs.
“No amount of time is equal to the anguish and heartache I caused my family and that of the Damiano family. I am deeply sorry,” said Campos in court.
Campos knew Damiano and said he and Merlin Bound went to Damiano’s house with the intent to rob him.
Campos has previously said Bound was the one who stabbed Damiano.
He accepted a plea deal from prosecutors and will soon testify against Bound when Bound’s trial is expected to begin in July.
While difficult, Kennedy said being in court for the sentencing helped.
“Seeing one of the men involved, helped. And I saw in his eyes that he knew. That helps. But it doesn’t bring Frank back,” said Kennedy.
However, despite her grief she felt a little joy when for the first time she met Damiano’s niece Rebecca.
“I shared some of Frank’s ashes with her. I got a new family,” Kennedy said.
Campos pleaded guilty to felony murder which means during the commission of a felony someone died. It specifically omits who committed the actual murder.
On Friday Campos was also sentenced for a previous burglary unrelated to the Damiano murder. Heckert said that incident happened in July 2013 and involved Campos stealing money from Valley Cab, a former employer. Campos pleaded no contest to Burglary in the Second Degree and was sentenced to six months supervisory authority (jail). He must also pay $1,540 to the business in restitution.
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