Jury convicts 2 men for 2010 murder of postal worker

MIAMI (WSVN) -- After a seven day trial, with approximately 40 witnesses, the jury has convicted one man to life in prison and his accomplice to 21 years in federal prison for the murder of a postal worker in December 2010.

U.S. Postal Service letter carrier Bruce Parton, was murdered on December 6, 2010 as he delivered mail to the Monte Carlo apartment complex in Northwest Miami-Dade. At the time of the murder, Pikerson Mentor and his accomplice, Saubnet Politasse, were trying to steal a master key from Parton. The key they were trying to steal would allow them to open mailboxes, so they could continue to steal people's identities.

Witnesses testified that they heard two shots at the scene, and an eyewitness testified that she saw the defendant fleeing the apartment complex in the victim's stolen truck.

In addition, Politasse testified and confirmed that Mentor had shot the mail carrier. Witnesses explained how the defendants used the stolen master key to open mailboxes and steal private financial and personal identification information and to intercept debit cards loaded with fraudulently obtained tax refunds.

The family of Parton appeared in court Friday morning, asking for a fair sentencing. Parton's granddaughter and daughter spoke out during the sentencing and mentioned how extremely saddened they were by his murder.

Mentor was sentenced to life in prison and Politasse was sentenced to 21 years in federal prison.

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