Man Accused In Deputy's Murder Pleads Guilty
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - The man who gunned down Broward Sheriff's deputy Paul Rein in a desperate escape has been sentenced to life in prison.
Monday afternoon Michael Mazza pled guilty to four counts; murder, robbery, carjacking and escape from a law enforcement officer. He was then given the life sentence which will be after he serves a 30-year sentence on a separate robbery charge.
Mazza sat quietly through the hearing and did not respond when Rein's wife Theresa read an emotional letter to the court in which she called his actions evil.
In November, 2007, the 76-year old Rein was transporting Mazza from a jail facility in Pompano Beach to court to face trial for armed robbery when the wheelchair bound inmate allegedly overpowered the deputy.
When Rein reportedly pulled over to secure a safety harness, Mazza grabbed the deputy's gun and shot him in the head. He then dumped Rein's body on the side of the road as he made his escape in the jail's van.
He later dumped it in Ft. Lauderdale and was able to elude police for several hours until he was spotted, and captured, while sitting in a car outside a Hollywood pawn shop.
Theresa Rein said she's still trying to forgive Mazza for what he did.
"I hope someday I can forgive him because that's what I'm supposed to do. But he will have his day, when everybody faces God, everybody has their Judgment Day and that's the day he's gonna pay," said Rein.
The big question after the hearing was why didn't the state push for the death penalty in this case. Broward State Attorney Mike Satz said the state had strong evidence however Theresa Rein did not want a trial and there were no guarantees a jury would convict Mazza or sentence him to death.
"Our main concern was making sure that justice was served and he would never walk the streets again," said Satz.
"I don't believe he even cares. He's not even human," said Rein. "He's a very cold hearted person, yes he is."
After Rein's murder the sheriff's office made a number of changes in procedures for transporting prisoners, they also added more deputies to the transport staff. BSO also named its Pompano Beach jail facility after Rein.
