Family of slain teen speak against sentence

Kim Smith

Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002 | 9:35 a.m.

When her 17-year-old daughter suddenly took a bad turn early this year, Carlana Primacio said she did everything she could to get her back onto the right path.

She warned Jenna Cameros that the world is a dangerous place. She told her that not everyone is nice and she urged her to follow through on her Army enlistment.

"But never in my wildest dreams did I think she would be killed," Primacio sobbed Wednesday.

Primacio appeared before District Judge Joseph Bonaventure Wednesday during the sentencing hearing of James Karl Schoebel, 38.

Prosecutors allege Schoebel strangled Cameros in August and then stuffed her body into a box in his closet.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Carroll said the evidence suggests that Cameros went to the apartment for purposes of prostitution, but Schoebel didn't want to pay her.

Police were originally called to the apartment Aug. 9 after a friend of Cameros said she had been killed, but they did not find her body until Aug. 15.

Schoebel claims Cameros died when he tried to retrieve money he claims she stole from him.

Schoebel pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in September with the understanding that Bonaventure would give him a life sentence with parole possible after 10 years.

Bonaventure said he found it amazing that in a letter to him Schoebel pleaded for mercy, saying he hopes to get out in enough time to help raise his children.

"Who's gonna give this young lady a second chance?" Bonaventure asked. "Just saying 'I'm sorry' for killing someone is nonsense to me. It's like stealing candy and saying 'I'm sorry.' "

Although the sentence was stipulated, Bonaventure urged Primacio and Cameros' grandmother, Dana Cameros, to speak their piece.

Both women described Jenna as a loving and compassionate young woman who lit up rooms with her smile and personality. She had signed up for the Army in December, but began hanging out with the wrong element shortly thereafter.

Dana Cameros said her heart will "ache forever" and she hopes Schoebel will rot just like he let her granddaughter rot. She questioned how he might possibly be paroled in 10 years.

"In 10 years, I will have another granddaughter and she will be 17, too," Cameros said as she stared at a stoic Schoebel. "Will you come out and kill her too? Answer me! You are just a plain old murderer."

Primacio said she can't conceive of someone being so evil and devious.

"How can anyone strangle someone, stuff her in a box. Stuff her in a box! And then shove her in a closet and compose themselves enough to fool the police?" Primacio said.

Primacio said she takes comfort that her daughter is in heaven, but she worries that Schoebel will one day be out.

"It doesn't seem fair to me. He still has a life and he took the breath out of my daughter," Primacio said.