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The campus slaying of a high school senior in Rio Linda, California was bad
enough. But the arrest of a temporary school employee-- and convicted felon--
in the crime has compounded the tragedy.
Now state officials are struggling to understand how the alleged assailant, Alex
Del Thomas had a 1986 manslaughter conviction from the Grant Joint Union High
School District in Sacramento County, which hired him as a substitute custodian
just for the month.
Michelle Montoya, 18, was found in the Rio Linda High School wood shop. Her
throat was slashed and her skull had been crushed. Mr. Thomas called police to
report the incident. He was arrested hours later.
Investigators found that the 34 year old janitor was on parole stemming from a
failed robbery attempt to which he shot and killed his intended victim. It was
also learned that during his job interview, Mr. Thomas had used makeup to cover
a "107" tattoo-- a gang moniker-- on his forehead.
While schools can hire non-teachers before background checks are finished, Grant
Union and other California districts have put a hold on all hires until the
checks clear. The policy may become state law.
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