Family confronts killer of Peterson Elementary teacher

The final legal chapter in the murder of Peterson Elementary School teacher Diane Romero came to a close Thursday, as friends and family members of the victim finally had the opportunity to confront her killer in court.

"Cowardly," "brutal" and "selfish" were only a few of the adjectives they used to describe Rodolfo Romero, the victim's husband of 17 years, who stabbed her to death on Sept. 16, 2010.

The 43-year-old former school bus driver was sentenced to 16-years-to-life in prison on Thursday, as part of a plea agreement with the prosecution. He pleaded no contest to second degree murder in May.

He expressed no emotion and exchanged little eye contact with anyone during Thursday's hearing, even as the victim's family members stepped forward to express their sorrow, anguish and frustration.

The victim and defendant had two sons, although they weren't in court Thursday.

Jeffrey Tenenbaum, the defendant's attorney, said his client does have remorse for the killing, and his client pleaded no contest to avoid putting his wife's family and children through a lengthy trial. "Mr Romero is eternally sorry for everything that he did. There's no words to describe it. He's devastated," Tenenbaum said.

Rodolfo Romero had an opportunity to address his wife's family in court. He leaned toward the microphone, and in a monotone voice uttered the words "so sorry" -- but said nothing more. One of Diane Romero's family members scoffed quietly in disgust after hearing those words.

Judge Marc Garcia offered a stern rebuke to the defendant, calling the brief apology "meaningless."

Garcia told Rodolfo Romero he wouldn't have relied on his attorney to speak for him in court, if he wished to offer a genuine apology. "If you had any self-respect or heart for your family you would speak for yourself," Garcia said.

Garcia also called the defendant's acts "cowardly, selfish, and evil," saying "The fact you would do this to the mother of your boys really goes beyond words that any human being could say."

Chief Deputy District Attorney Rob Carroll also said the defendant's apology wasn't sincere.

"If he was truly sorry and he wanted to express that, he could have written a letter," Carroll said. "He's had months. That's why it seems so fake. To me it didn't have any sincerity or ring of truth at all."

When asked about his client's brief apology, Tenenbaum explained his client's first language is Spanish, saying he was at a loss for words. "It was very hard for him to gather the words. It was a very emotional day for him," Tenenbaum said.

Skip Harris, the victim's stepfather, spoke of the pain the defendant inflicted upon the children, saying they were robbed of their mother because of the defendant's "prideful cowardice."

"When asked about their parents, your sons will always have to explain your shameful act," Harris said. He added the defendant belongs in his "prison hell" forever. "Just like Diane is gone forever," he said.

Police said Rodolfo Romero stabbed his 44-year-old wife to death at couple's Tioga Court home in north Merced.

The couple had been experiencing marital problems prior to the homicide, and authorities said the victim's body was found in the swimming pool with numerous stab wounds. Her husband was found in the back yard. He had superficial stab wounds that the prosecution believes were self-inflicted.

During Thursday's hearing, Diane Romero's sister Sharon Reid said her sister had privately revealed she was considering a divorce, just two days before the murder. Reid said the victim was tired of the marital discord in the relationship.

The day before, Reid said she'd asked her sister about the possible divorce. Diane Romero told her sister they'd talk the following day, because she didn't want Rodolfo Romero to overhear their conversation.

"Your honor, tomorrow never came," Reid told Judge Marc Garcia. "I never got to have that last conversation with my sister, my best friend."

Reid said her family will never be the same again, and she hopes Rodolfo Romero spends the rest of his life in prison. "This individual must not have the opportunity to re-enter society," Reid said. "There must not be another victim to suffer such a selfish, heartless and barbaric act."

Rodolfo Romero will be eligible for parole in 16 years.

City Editor Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.

This story was originally published July 12, 2012 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Family confronts killer of Peterson Elementary teacher."