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Suspect in boy's killing speaks
Man 'trying to figure out what happened'
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Calvin Leonard Sharp, 27, is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 31 on charges of murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and infliction of great bodily harm. He is being held at Ventura County Jail on $1.5 million bail.
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In a short jailhouse interview, Calvin Leonard Sharp, accused in the brutal slaying of a 6-year-old Newbury Park boy that has shocked local residents, said Sunday night that he wanted to apologize to the community.
Dressed in a blue jail smock, his hands cuffed to a chain around his waist and jagged stitches over what appeared to be a deep gash on his left arm, Sharp spoke in a clear and soft voice to a reporter in a visiting room of the Ventura County Jail exactly a week after the attack.
"To the people who know me I'm still the same person I was before," Sharp said with a flicker of emotion in his throat. "I'm still trying to figure out what happened."
Sharp, a 27-year-old taxi driver whose Newbury Park High School Class of 1997 voted him friendliest student, faces murder charges for allegedly taking a meat cleaver to 6-year-old Sev'n Molina during an argument with the boy's mother, Sandra Ruiz.
When asked if he had anything to say about what happened the night of Aug. 12, Sharp said only: "I just want to apologize to the community."
Sharp said he would not answer further questions, saying he did not think it was wise to talk about the case without first consulting his attorney. He did not give details of his relationship with Ruiz or her son.
Apart from visits from his public defender, no one else has been to see him since his arrest, Sharp said.
"I don't know where I stand with everybody," he said, referring to his family and friends.
Jail officials said Sharp was being held apart from the other inmates.
Ruiz and Sharp met in 2005 and at some point were briefly romantically involved, according to authorities. Sharp's two sons also went to the same preschool as Sev'n.
But authorities have not yet explained what triggered the argument.
Neighbors reported hearing an argument between the two on the evening of Aug. 12.
Investigators said that at some point Sharp became angry with Ruiz's son and grabbed a meat cleaver, chasing him outside into the courtyard of the apartment complex. That's where Sharp allegedly caught up with the boy and began striking him with the 12-inch meat cleaver. Ruiz tried to stop him. She was critically injured after being struck several times while trying to deflect the blows from her son, according to authorities.
The attack ended when Diane Cox, a 53-year-old neighbor, jumped on Sharp and got the cleaver out of his hands. She also was cut.
Sharp is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 31 on charges of murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and infliction of great bodily harm.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 20, 2007 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is sad its even in the paper !! I dont think anyone is going to forgive him or gives a Da** what he has to say !!!!!!! He is the lowest scum on Earth. He can save his apologies for his maker!
I find it sad this is in the paper right underneath the article about the boys memorial!
And WHY he even has any amount of bail set is beyond me? He should be held with NO BAIL !!!!! He is a cold blooded evil person!!!
Posted by Faithman54 on August 20, 2007 at 7:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know this is very, very hard, but it is important to forgive this guy. I did not say forget, that is out of the question, but forgive. He has no excuse whatsoever for doing what he did. There is nothing he can say that will justify what he did. I think that Diane Cox deserves all the awards and cards and goodness that she can get. What a hero she is!! This poor child was protecting his mommy! What a hero is he is too. But like I said, we have to forgive. That is very important. People say he is a good guy, well maybe he is, but this action that he did in my books just cancelled out any goodness that he had in him. He better be asking for God's forgiveness along with asking for the community's.
Posted by Common_Sense on August 20, 2007 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Faithman....AN EYE FOR AN EYE. I will forgive him when he is dancing to the fire in hell with people of the same moral fabric.
Posted by Faithman54 on August 20, 2007 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You need to read Matthew 5:38-42
Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins".
Romans 12:19 "Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for God's wrath for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay says the Lord".
Posted by JenLynn on August 20, 2007 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe the Star even wrote this article...it gives no new information and it is horrible to print/post it today along with an article about a memorial for little Sev'n.
Someone PLEASE start a new local paper so we can dump the Star!
Posted by slkrchck on August 20, 2007 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thank you faithman...........i agree with you. people don't realize that forgiveness is so we can go on. it doesn't mean we excuse the behaviour of this man. this sounds like a man on meth. i may be wrong and that's no excuse, but evidently, he was doling out his own warped sense of "justice" that night. let us not be just like him. at the moment, he thought this woman and her son deserved this. i'm glad these posters are not involved with meth (i hope). they seem to have enough hatred as it is. violence begets violence.
i am in no way excusing this tragedy, but if we hold on to our hostilities, this man continues to slay all of us. don't let him.
Posted by Just_wondering on August 20, 2007 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is a special place in hell for people like Mr. Sharp
Posted by JenLynn on August 20, 2007 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wait doesn't the bible also say "Eye for an Eye"?
Common_Sense...correct me if I am wrong.
Posted by sldiaz on August 20, 2007 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My wife and I attended this memorial and it was the hardest thing we have encountered as we too had children of this age at one time and could never imagine having them MURDERED. We agree with Bellsash, save the apologies, nobody cares.
Posted by lyn_uk1 on August 20, 2007 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
His best proof of being "sorry" would be to plead guilty, accept his punishment with NO appeals. That would go a long way in how people react to this man.
Posted by gayala70 on August 20, 2007 at 9:37 a.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by 4evrinmyhrtdad on August 20, 2007 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He's only sorry because he's busted. I hope he rots in jail! No child deserves to be brutally murdered the way lil Sev'n was. No forgiveness can be given for such a cowardly act!
Posted by twoods on August 20, 2007 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
At least he wasn't voted most likely to succeed in high school. Anyway, may the little guy rest in peace and play all the video games he wants in heaven.
Posted by gotita on August 20, 2007 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To all those people that say that we should forgive sharp because the Bible saids...... I think that we are all humans and we all make mistakes but if you open your Bible and read the 10 Commandments number 6 saids "You shall not murder." we all look at the Bible a different way and it you say that he should not be judge by us then guess what?..... God will judge him worst because of what he did.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 20, 2007 at 10:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Faithman54, I Know your right..........but after reading right under the memorial, his statement.Just really got to me ! I know the Bible says how can we be forgiven if we can not forgive others..........
slkrchck, Your correct....hopefully in time the family can forgive. But I do hope the System takes the appropriate justice in this case.
Posted by UdontKnowMe on August 20, 2007 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don' keep him from any other prisoners! He needs to face the music. Regardless of who he feels he is now. That weirdo should not be protected for any reasons. He deserves to have hell in his cell 24/7.
Posted by sagacious2u on August 20, 2007 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If we were all to practice an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth the world would be blind and toothless.
Posted by FedUp on August 20, 2007 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
how long ago was the bible written?? these are different times today. I could care less about forgiveness when something like this happens. I would feel zero remorse, if I was able to flip the switch on this guy.
and a I agree with those above, who said this article is pointless. why run it right next to the article about this poor kids memorial. have some class STAR. oh wait, nevermind....
Posted by surfmedic91 on August 20, 2007 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How about instead of reading the bible for guidance, everyone reads the California Penal Code and studies the law. That will tell you what you can and can't do. If he did this to me and my child, he would never be forgiven.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 20, 2007 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Fedup, As I was the first to point out the article right under the boys memorial I do deeply agree with you.....
And I can understand the anger of this man's actions. It still boils my blood. But as a God fearing woman ,most people do eventually give forgiveness. Maybe not today ,tomorrow or for years to come. And I can't blame them a bit..... But at some point if JUSTICE is served. I do believe that it would help in her healing process somewhere down the line in life. But thats my opionion. And if she never ever forgives him.... I wouldn't look down on her or say a word.....Forgiveness is a very HARD thing to do! Especially in a case like this. And right now I think its just way too soon for her to even think about it.
Posted by slkrchck on August 20, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sagacious2u..............this is why you're sagacious.
it would be nice to see those in this world using their energies for something upbuilding rather than perpetrating the hatred. this mr. sharp certainly has much control over how people feel.
the opposite of love is not hatred after all, it's indifference. i don't have enough concern for this man to give him such intense feelings.
and i don't think our love for the ruiz and molina family is measured by our hatred for the person that destroyed their family.
Posted by bugmenot on August 20, 2007 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was thinking his mouth would be wired shut by now. Must be in solitary.
Posted by nancy_4ever on August 20, 2007 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
-justice in this case is the death penalty. As a christian woman I pray he makes it to heaven. Amen.
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on August 20, 2007 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If officers had arrived first, Mr. Sharp would have most probably been killed. Please be aware, that amongst the victims here are neighbors who witnessed the event and the officers who responded.
Diane Cox deserves a Medal of Valor on the same level as sworn officers. She is Congressional Medal of Honor material. Because she was unarmed, her heroism goes even beyond that demonstrated daily by law enforcement. The gentleman who tackled Mr. Sharp and held him for authorities also deserves special recognition.
Regarding the appropriate punishment ... I only pray that Mr. Cox is the persons some say he is and that hepleads guilty and saves us all from an insanity defense.
FedUp, can you see this post?
Posted by FedUp on August 20, 2007 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I see you timearrow.
Posted by MRCLEAN on August 20, 2007 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I find it offensive that the Star would even print what this subhuman POS has to say! The only thing I want to hear from this Animal is the sound of him gasping for his last breath! Forgiveness? What a joke this Child Killer deserves nothing of the sort!
Posted by rebel123 on August 20, 2007 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's my biggest issue with religion.....no matter how heinous the crime, if you ask for forgiveness from God, you get a free pass??? Uh, no thanks. I believe in the eastern philosophies that include karma.
Posted by surfmedic91 on August 20, 2007 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If he finds God in prison and is ever elligible for parole, then this will help him being granted parole. That is if he ever gets the chance or can find God.
WJ, why should Jesus "accept" him? Is he pledging a fraternity or something?
Posted by jill on August 20, 2007 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What an incredibly brave woman Diane Cox is. There are a lot of men that wouldn't have stepped in. She is truly a hero for trying to save that boy.
Posted by Face on August 20, 2007 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nobody including the perpetrator can deny he killed this child. But to get the death penalty, one has to have committed the murder with premeditation. So, the prosecution would have to prove that he went there with the intent of killing that child, which may or may not be true as the facts will eventually show. Regardless of our feelings and emotions, the state must prove premeditation in order to get 1st Degree Murder which is required for the possibility of a death sentence on conviction. This is just an FYI
MURDER, FIRST DEGREE - In order for someone to be found guilty of first degree murder the government must prove that the person killed another person; the person killed the other person with malice aforethought; and the killing was premeditated.
To kill with malice aforethought means to kill either deliberately and intentionally or recklessly with extreme disregard for human life.
Premeditation means with planning or deliberation. The amount of time needed for premeditation of a killing depends on the person and the circumstances. It must be long enough, after forming the intent to kill, for the killer to have been fully conscious of the intent and to have considered the killing.
Posted by Common_Sense on August 20, 2007 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Faith...you and I can throw scripture quotes at each other all day to support our positions. If this scum of the earth stole your bicycle or even your car, perhaps he could be forgiven. There is NO forgiving this type of maggot in my book. In this world, there is EVIL and this man is a prime example. EVIL does not deserve the courtesy and effort required to forgive. There are too many worth while things to focus one's energy on. May the remainder of his days on this earth be miserable followed by even greater agony once this world is finally rid of him.
Posted by Goodlaw on August 21, 2007 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is such a sad and sickening story. I once lived in another town when I was going to college and a little boy was viciously murdered by his own father in nearly the same way. I was so traumatized when it happened that I had to move because the house it happened it was two blocks away. I had a little boy myself and I kept waking up from bad nightmares. This poor little boy was truely a victim and his mother as well. She was obviously caught up in an abusive relationship and it came to a horribly violent end. I can't in any way feel sorry for the terrible man who violently murdered the little boy. Now this little boy is gone forever and there is no good place in this world for the man who did this. As for you people who are saying "forgive" you are being premature and totally insensitive to a traumatized community. For one thing, this guy needs to pay for what he did because this little boy deserves justice and so does his mother. Even "God" wouldn't be o.k. with that creep running around free after killing a little boy and sooo brutally. There is no legitimate excuse in the entire world that can excuse how this child died. A little boy was hacked to death with a friggen meat cleaver for heaven sake! Right in front of his very terrified mother and neighbors.
This guy is gonna fry, and if he doesn't he's sure gonna wish he had. Our compassion has to be with the boy and his mother.
What the entire community NEEDS is to make sure this guy gets put away forever so that the little boys death is vindicated. Our mercy needs to be with the little boy and his mom and the neighbors who tried to stop the crime. It's a normal and healthy reaction for all of us to be angry about this. Who cares what the murders friends think. We don't. We care about the little boy who was murdered and our sympathy is with the true victim. Otherwise we wouldn't be normal and healthy or compassionate. We need to use our anger and our compassion in a positive way and make sure that our community passes laws that put guys like him away to the very end of his life. This is a fight for justice. So for you bleeding hearts who are saying "forgiveness", well, it's far to danm early to be saying all this "forgiveness" stuff. In the Bible there is another verse that says that it's better for a person to have a mill stone tied around his neck and be cast into the sea then to hurt a child....yet merciless child killers and molesters and child abusers are always getting away with things. We need to take a strong stand and insist that these kinds of people who do these things never see the light of day...God bless this poor dear little boy who was cheated of his life in such an horrendous,merciless, hidious way and for his poor mom who couldn't protect herself or her son from this monster....
Posted by surfmedic91 on August 21, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Goodlaw, sounds like you need therapy. If you are having nightmares from something that happened 2 blocks away, you need to move to a secluded area in the country away from crime and the reality of living where you do. You moved once but that may not do it. "The entire community" cannot make sure anything happens to this guy but the jury can. He will not get the death sentence but may get life without parole. You are saying "we" need to take a stand....what are "you" going to do about it???
Posted by theparkex on August 21, 2007 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If I was anyone of you I would read everything about this horrendous act and the person who did it and be thinking and saying the things you all are.
However, I am friends with Calvin and know what kind of person he is ("used to be" as some of you may say) and also know what was going on leading up to his unfortunate event. I can't expect any of you to understand, as I probably wouldn't if I were you, but seeing this type of situation from this perspective just puts things in a whole different light.
You say that because he apologizes he understands what he did but that is not necessarily true, he just understands that he did something bad.
I don't want to strum on as I know everyone has already made up their minds, and rightfully so, I just have read these postings for the past week and finally felt the need to respond in someway.
My heart and thoughts go out to Ms. Ruiz, S'ven, Ms. Cox, the neighbors, emergency personnel and all else who witnessed this tragic scene.
Posted by Robyn on August 21, 2007 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Unfortunatly we can all agonize with the horrendous acts of a imperfect human being. Whether his actions were insanity, drug induced or just plain evil, what remains fact is that a sweet innocent child has died. Nothing this man could say or do, will change ANYTHING about his actions, including his statement in his interview,""To the people who know me I'm still the same person I was before," Sharp said with a flicker of emotion in his throat. "I'm still trying to figure out what happened." And then goes on to say,When asked if he had anything to say about what happened the night of Aug. 12, Sharp said only: "I just want to apologize to the community." and then goes a step further and says, "I don't know where I stand with everybody," he said, referring to his family and friends." Have you noticed he hasn't mentioned the child, or his Mother, or the other people he injured in the attack, he wanted to apologize to the community and is worried because he doesn't know where he stands with his friends and family??? It sounds to me like he knows exactly what he did and he is the only one that knows the reasons why even tho we can all sit here and speculate. The one consolation??? On the day he gets in front of his God, He will have to answer all of those questions and I think we all know as to what will happen to him then. My heart and my sympathies go to his Mother. For she is going to have to live with this for the rest of her life, because if there is one thing I know about being a parent is the guilt and shame we deal with when we are not able to protect our children from being hurt. Can you imagine the horrible guilt she is feeling? I can....and I do.
Posted by surfmedic91 on August 21, 2007 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Robyn, why will he have to answer those questions in front of his god? Doesn't his god already know the answers to all the questions?
Posted by HavingMySay on August 21, 2007 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
theparkex--you know what kind of person he is? Did you know this would happen? Then you do NOT know what kind of person he is, you know what he wanted you to think of him. Who cares what you know about "what was going on leading up to his unfortunate event." It was much more than unfortunate and it is not about him, it is about what he did to ALL the people affected by this. Don't try to minimize it by trying to justify it with whatever info you have about the events leading up to to that moment. No circumstance can make it anything more than what it was...a brutal attack that cost an innocent child their life and mother that will never be the same along with the many people who are traumatized just knowing about it or witnessing it. Why don't YOU try to remove yourself from the Calvin that you THOUGHT you knew and understand the impact of his actions. If it were you and your child, I am sure you would feel differently no matter what you knew about him.
Posted by dcmiami on August 21, 2007 at 8:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's just analyze this correctedly. THe accused baby murderer would like to know where he stands? Well where does Sevn stand? Where does Sandra stand? And where can I stand and watch him rot in hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by thorvet on August 22, 2007 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I find it rather peculiar that he apologizes to the community, but not to the boy or his mother. Lock him up, throw away the key. Obviously, if he just snapped then society cannot trust when it will happen again.
Posted by ca4ever on August 22, 2007 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
theparkex- regardless of what you feel was going on prior to this MURDER, there is no excuse for MURDERING a 6 year old and yelling things about being tired of his video games. Do not defend this horrible individual just because you THOUGHT you knew him. What he did is inexcusable and hopefully he will also be murdered for this horrible thing he did.
Posted by BeaHappi on August 22, 2007 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thorvet - my thoughts exactly. Why apologize to the community? Until he committed this vicious crime no one in the community even knew who he was.
My continued thoughts and prayers with Ms. Ruiz. And prayers to you little Sev'n...I'm sure you're watching over your mom. As a mom, I'd want to be right there with you.
Posted by allycalifornia on August 22, 2007 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Personally, I am glad that he made a public apology. There is nothing in the world that can change what he did, or erase the horror of it, but somehow it makes me feel better to know that he is sorry. And now the legal system, and God, will take care of the rest. My heart and prayers go out to the families and individuals shattered by this senseless act of violence.
Posted by tiales on August 23, 2007 at 6:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Forgiveness???...NOT when it comes to a crime against a child!
Posted by theparkex on August 23, 2007 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All of you are completely missing the point of what I said. I am not at all justifying what he has done and I too feel that he deserves the highest level of punishment for what he has done.
My point was that when you experience this type of horrendous act from this perspective you do see it in a way that you would never think possible.
Posted by Libra40 on August 23, 2007 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is no forgiveness for a monster like you. I hope you suffer tremendously for the remainder of your sick life.
Posted by Robyn on August 24, 2007 at 6:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Too bad the public apology he gave won't bring that sweet child back. I mean like hey, all murderer's apologize, AFTER the fact, some are acting as if the Creator's bad list board is that Dry Erase kind and once they apologize all should be forgiven and everyone just goes on their merry way. Here you have witnesses that will live with the scars every day of the remainder of their lives, and then you have a Mother that every time she closes her eyes she relives the brutal MURDER of her child, but hey what the hell, the Monster apologized, so he should be slapped on the wrist, told he's a bad boy and punished by standing in the corner??? I THINK NOT!!!!!!!
Posted by Robyn on August 25, 2007 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Your right surfmedic, absolutely right, His God does already know, but the big question remains....WHY????? Why a child, why anyone for that fact! I don't give a rat's patootie what excuse he uses, be it drugs, alcohol, he had a bad childhood or what, That truth of what really happened can and never will be understood. And I for one do not want to sit here working my butt to the bone just so my taxes can pay a prison to keep him warm and fed. I say.......Judgment Day should be swift and oh so very painful!
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