Burger King killers get life sentences
By Sue Lindsay, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 10:44 a.m., July 15, 2008
Updated 11:55 p.m., July 15, 2008
Anthony Cole
Anthony Lowe
Thomas Johns
One year ago, Celia Meza was shot to death on the floor of the freezer at the Burger King where she worked because she tried to call police during a robbery.
Exactly one year after her death, the man who shot her, Anthony Lowe, 22 and his accomplice, Thomas Johns, 18 were sentenced to life in prison Tuesday for her murder.
Meza's sister, Alejandra Escobedo, said she was satisfied with the sentence.
"We got justice even though nothing is going to bring my sister back," she said. "People like this don't deserve to be on the streets."
Escobedo said her sister had a hard life, selling candy and bread on the streets in Mexico so the family would have enough to eat.
During the three years she was in the United States, Meza worked hard, cleaning houses and ironing to send money back to her family in Mexico and make a living for herself and her 11-year-old daughter.
"Now that little girl doesn't have a mom," Escobedo said.
Meza had been working at the Burger King at West 64th Avenue and Ward Road for only a few months when she was shot to death by Lowe after being clubbed and dragged to the freezer.
Lowe and Johns, both former employees of the restaurant, planned to rob the restaurant, split the money with night manager and inside man Anthony Cole and flee to Florida.
The group had met for several weeks to plan the robbery.
Meza, who was called in to work that night and knew nothing of the robbery plans, was shot to death by Lowe in the freezer when she called 911 from her cell phone.
Lowe and Johns were sentenced by Jefferson County District Judge Jane Tidball to an additional 42 years in prison for their convictions on other crimes including kidnapping, assault, aggravated robbery, theft and conspiracy.
Cole, who pleaded guilty and testified against the other defendants, previously had been sentenced to 48 years in prison for second-degree murder.
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July 15, 2008
11:45 a.m.
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HolierThanThou writes:
Murder most foul... Lowe formed intent to kill when he caught the victim with her cellphone and then shot her. No doubt, this was first degree murder aggravated by being done during the commission of a serious felony.
And while robbing a Burger King? A night's take at a fast food restaurant couldn't buy you a week at a cheap roach-infested Florida motel. However, those murderers will no longer have difficulty finding accommodations for night. The gray bar hotel will provide them with three hots and a cot until the end.
Boys and girls: study hard, do good work, keep away from hard liquor, and try to find a good job.
July 15, 2008
12:02 p.m.
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Who_Me writes:
It would have been better to make all of them work at a Burger King the rest of their lives.
July 15, 2008
12:16 p.m.
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ksells writes:
This is a fair sentence. Some people think death is the way to go, but if you've spent a day in jail, you'll know that the prospect of living day to day in a six foot by nine foot cell is terrible. They will pay a terrible cost for their crime.
July 15, 2008
12:49 p.m.
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O_TRAIN writes:
I'm glad to see justice for the victim & family.
Too bad they couldn't have just flame-broiled all three of them.
July 15, 2008
1:23 p.m.
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Dusty_Piniella writes:
"Didnt mean to kill anyone"....umm thats what happens when you carry a loaded (full) gun and an unloaded (empty) IQ. If a person uses a weapon while committing a crime, they should be charged as if the weapon WAS used/discharged during the crime. too bad my taxes have to feed and shelter these idiots!
July 15, 2008
1:56 p.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
How much did they get? $50, maybe $100?
These guys are the poster boys for the saying "criminals are stupid"!
These losers don't look like they had (or would have) much of a life anyway, so at least now we'll know where they are and what they are up to.
July 15, 2008
2:21 p.m.
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Who_Me writes:
Hoping to catch them on Lockup in about 10 years.
July 15, 2008
2:24 p.m.
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FlyfishDude52 writes:
I think there's little to say in this case. It appears (to me) that justice has been served here. The unfortunate part is that we will be paying for their accommodations for the rest of our lives. There is something wrong with that.
Cowboy you hit the nail on the head! Too bad Darwin can't have a better shot at these guys...
July 15, 2008
3:03 p.m.
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Cowboy63 writes:
FlyfishDude52 - I hear you. These guys are young and it's too bad they are going to be on the state's tab for the next 40 years.
July 15, 2008
3:09 p.m.
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vudumom writes:
The video games made them do it.
July 15, 2008
3:20 p.m.
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cooperjtd writes:
wow, I used to eat there during high school lunch when they first built it. I've been out of the area for some time. Sad to see that the neighborhood is taking a southward turn. At least those morons will have a fun life in prison, I'm sure their cell mates are going to 'have it their way' (who robs a BK? you wouldn't even have enough to pay for gas to get to florida... and these idiots met several times to discuss this?)
July 15, 2008
3:55 p.m.
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newshound writes:
Some people think that life in prison is a fair sentence and I completely disagree. They took an innocent life and now the taxpayers will be paying for their room and board for the rest of our lives. These men don't deserve to live. Eye for an eye.
July 15, 2008
8:11 p.m.
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timeandagain writes:
yep, newshound. you are exactly correct. it repulses me that one penny of my tax dollars goes to feed these slimeball murderers.
July 15, 2008
8:38 p.m.
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cabin_fever writes:
That facial hair will get a rise out of quite a few inmates. Tickles.
July 16, 2008
9:10 a.m.
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happymike44 writes:
Well it looks ike these boys will be getting a lot of all beef in their buns in the next few months.
They deserve a lot worse then life in prison,why did they have to kill anybody.
Money is the root of all evil and these guys prove it is the truth.
What they really need to do is work in the prison kitchen for life.
Then they will know what the average employee feels like trapped.
Plus wonder will they be telling the secret sauce recipe.
Hope they enjoy the fasionable cuisine and the lovely new styles they will get to wear.
July 16, 2008
11:40 a.m.
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Juspassinby writes:
Looks like some of the ole timers at the grey bar hotel will get to have it their way.
July 16, 2008
12:10 p.m.
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LamboMan writes:
cooperjtd, bad things happen in just about all neighborhoods. That area is still a great place to raise a family. I have a daughter at A-West H.S. and am very involved in the community. I'd recommend the area to anyone.
It's so unfortunate that these thugs have needlessly taken a life. And for what? Like others have stated here, why rob a fast food restaurant, and in the middle of the night? Can't imagine there was much cash on hand. Very sad!