Half Moon Bay Theater Actor Sentenced to 105 Years to Life

John Alexander, a 58-year-old actor who starred in theater productions at the in Half Moon Bay as recently as 2009, was sentenced to 105 years to life on Friday afternoon after a four-hour trial, according to Lance Daugherty, Supervising Deputy District attorney for Santa Clara County.

Alexander, who starred in musical productions such as "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "Tommy," received the maximum sentence under California's Three Strikes law. He will not be eligible for parole before his death.

Alexander was prosecuted under the Three Strikes law as he had two prior convictions on his record, according to Daugherty.

In mid-2010, Alexander robbed three banks in short succession: one in Mountain View, one in Los Gatos, and one in San Jose. Alexander was charged with three counts of robbery. He plead guilty to all three counts and was convicted on March 9, 2011, Daugherty said.

At the trial, Alexander requested a motion for the court to strike one or both of his prior strikes, which would have lessened his sentence considerably — by 80 years or more.

The trial, which took place in San Jose at the Hall of Justice at Santa Clara County's Superior Court, was attended by friends of Alexander, who made statements attesting to what they felt described his character in an attempt to get the court to remove Alexander's prior strikes.

One of the friends who spoke on behalf of Alexander was Half Moon Bay resident Denise Delaney, a Coastal Repertory Theater veteran who has acted in several and produced this season's show .

In her statement to the court, Delaney described Alexander as a "caring father, wild uncle, dependable brother, and above all, devoted friend."

"The breakdown of John’s personality was so sudden and unforeseen, none of us had a chance to reach out to help him," she said.

After the sentencing, Delaney described herself as feeling "numb and sad."

"Listening silently to the prosecution was one of the most frustrating things I've ever had to do," she said. "I felt completely helpless. I'm not certain this trial is over."

Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney and prosecutor Connie Smith could not be reached for comment.

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