Woman sentenced to 16 years in prison in store owner’s killing

A woman who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for her role in the 2018 robbery and killing of an East Village businessman inside his flooring materials store was sentenced Friday to 16 years to life in state prison.

Lorena Espinoza, 38, was charged along with Kevin Eugene Cartwright, 54, in the shooting death of store owner Ghedeer “Tony” Radda, 49.

Prosecutors said Espinoza entered Radda’s business — Bottom Price Flooring at 1015 G St. — while wearing a purple wig and lured the victim to the back of the store, where he was fatally shot by Cartwright.

Cartwright was charged with murder and is awaiting trial. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.

Several of Radda’s family members attended Espinoza’s sentencing hearing, with Radda’s older sister, Ghayda Young, addressing the court.

Young said her brother “worked his way up from nothing” to establish his business downtown. The sister said she not only mourns for herself, but for Radda’s wife and two daughters, who were ages 5 and 8 when he died.

Referencing surveillance footage recorded inside the store, Young said she watched Cartwright “viciously attack” her brother, and Espinoza “stand there as Ghedeer lay suffering on the ground.”

Footage played during the defendants’ preliminary hearing showed Espinoza and Radda walking toward the back of the store, while the gunman — dressed in all black and wearing a Halloween-style old-lady mask — slipped behind the pair toward the cash register.

He then sneaked toward the back of the business where the victim was talking with Espinoza and attacked him, though the shooting occurred off camera.

Prosecutors allege that after he shot Radda, Cartwright went to the register and forced it open with a pry bar while Espinoza stood at the entrance and acted as a lookout.

Though Espinoza told law enforcement she was threatened to take part in the robbery, Young said she rejected the theory that she was forced against her will, saying Espinoza “had so many opportunities to help” Radda.

After making off with cash, the pair left the business and walked away in opposite directions, with Espinoza westbound on G Street toward the GMC Yukon SUV they drove to the scene, and Cartwright eastbound, according to prosecutors.

Cartwright was arrested Oct. 17. Espinoza was taken into custody about two weeks later.