A Lompoc woman was sentenced Tuesday in Santa Barbara County Superior Court to 15 years to life in state prison for violently killing her neighbor Eldri Terese Jauch, who was described as “a peaceful person.”
Melissa Leigh Martin, 38, had previously changed her plea to guilty for killing Jauch, 74, in a Lompoc residence on June 5, 2019.
“Ms. Martin, this was a senseless and brutal murder, and though every life is priceless, your acts have taken an exceptional person from our community,” Lompoc Judge Raimundo Montes de Oca said. “I think that you now realize this. At least I hope you do. I hope that you recognize that this didn’t have to happen.”
Jauch was reported missing on June 6, 2019, and found dead in her neighbor’s apartment days later.
Martin was located and arrested outside a Santa Ynez residence.
Authorities charged Martin with murder, and they said that the victim was attacked with a baseball bat.
During the sentencing hearing on Tuesday morning, the judge heard from both the defendant and the victim’s sister.
“Our mother and maternal grandmother both lived well into their 90s, so I hoped Eldri and I would both live many more years together and continue to support each other as we grew older,” the sister wrote in a victim’s impact statement read by Deputy District Attorney Anne Nudson. “I had no reason to assume she would die anytime soon.
“She lived a full and active life until her life was suddenly cut short. I will always miss her unwavering support and the positive feedback she gave me about my work.”
One of Jauch’s more recent passions had been end-of-life counseling, and she taught a course on the topic at Pacifica Graduate Institute.
“I find it especially sad and tragic that she had a violent death with no time to prepare and no one to support her lovingly during the last minutes of her life,” the sister wrote.
In her grief, Jauch’s sister said she appreciated that Martin pleaded guilty and took responsibility for “her horrendous crime.”
“I understand that she was highly intoxicated with methamphetamine when she killed my sister in an unprovoked act of violence,” the sister wrote, adding that as a developmental psychologist, she recognized that a history of child abuse or other trauma can cause people to commit violent crimes and suffer from addiction.
She added that she hoped Martin would take advantage of any therapeutic services and educational opportunities offered in prison.
“My sister was a peaceful person who abhorred all acts of violence. She believed in the inherent goodness of every person and spent her life trying to help people,” she wrote. “I hope that Melissa will find inner peace and healing, and I know this is also what my sister would have wanted.”
From the jail and appearing remotely, Martin, who was represented by attorney Lori Pedego, also spoke during the hearing.
“I just wanted to say how sorry I am and how sweet she was,” Martin said. “The way I feel about it, I feel like she was worth 10 of me. She was so smart and so kind. I know you guys must miss her terribly, and I’m so sorry.
“I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me. I’m trying to learn to forgive myself. It’s hard. I’m so sorry for your loss, and I’m sorry that I caused it.”
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.