A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge sentenced a Washington man to 50 years to life in state prison for killing a Navy veteran near a Santa Maria bar nearly three years ago. 

Last fall, a jury found Ron Dolph Tutay, 32, guilty of murder for fatally shooting Gerald Williams, 55, in the back while he was walking in the 200 block of East Main Street on July 2, 2022.

Tutay did not know Williams and fired the shot from 34 feet away, according to law enforcement officers. 

During the trial last fall, jurors heard assorted evidence including Tutay making racial comments regarding the victim and suggesting the man’s death was a good thing. 

Police officers also testified they located a single spent cartridge casing on a sidewalk a few feet from where Tutay had been seated. 

During a search of Tutay’s suitcase, detectives located the murder weapon, a loaded semi-automatic handgun.

Defense attorneys Lori Pedego and Megan Leisz represented Tutay, including asking for a new trial, which was rejected. 

“Because of Mr. Tutay’s actions, this country lost a patriot, two children lost a father, and this community lost a friend,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Austin Ingalls said, urging the judge Monday to hold Tutay accountable for the first-degree murder. 

“Mr. Williams, this community and public safety demand that this reprehensible conduct result in the maximum allowable sentence under the law,” Ingalls said. 

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Stephen Dunkle heard from friends and family of Williams about their loss.

At the time of his killing, law enforcement officers said Williams lived in Texas but local friends said he resided in the Santa Maria Valley.

“Justice was served due to the hard work of the Santa Maria Police Department and Senior Deputy District Attorney Austin Ingalls,” District Attorney John Savrnoch said.