Ingebretsen killer cannot ask for release

A Senate bill that would have given juvenile offenders serving life terms a way out of prison went down quietly to defeat this week.

But the legislation did not go unnoticed in Colusa County — and opened some old wounds surrounding one of the most heinous crimes in the area's history.

Nathan Ramazzini and Leo Contreras brutally murdered their friend, Erik Ingebretsen, 16, on July 15, 1997, leaving his battered and bloodied body near the Sacramento River outside of Colusa.

Ramazzini, widely believed to be the driving force behind the killing and considered among some circles to be sociopathic, was just 16 years old at the time.

In fact, one investigator with some training in profiling criminals believed Ramazzini was uniquely evil.

"I think what was said was, 'we caught a serial murderer on the first one,'" Colusa County District Attorney John Poyner recalled Wednesday, a day after the Senate defeated SB399.

Ramazzini was convicted of the murder, and is serving life without the possibility of parole.

Contreras was 18. He pleaded guilty to the crime and also is serving life without the possibility of parole.

Had the bill been passed, Ramazzini could have at least petitioned to have his case reviewed, with the hope of meeting certain criteria, and ultimately being released after 25 years.

Among the qualifications is the juvenile was involved in a crime in which an adult offender also was a part.

Poyner called the legislation shortsighted on face value.

"You cannot tell me a 16- or 17-year-old doesn't know they are killing someone," said Poyner, arguing against the foundational position that the adult offender is somehow forcing the behavior of the youth offender.

The district attorney said it is even worse if applied to a case like the Ingebretsen murder, one in which he is convinced it was the juvenile Ramazzini, not the 18-year-old Contreras, who was the leader in the brutal attack.

Poyner does not dismiss Contreras's role in the killing, if for no other reason than he did not come forward with information about where his friend's body was located, or later, assist in the investigation.

Had he done so, Poyner said, he likely would have been facing a lesser murder count and could be looking forward to a day he would be released from prison.

It was Ramazzini, Poyner said, who was the true killer.

"All I know is that no law-abiding citizen is in danger as long as he stays where he's at," Poyner said.

And while the proposed legislation was being debated in the Capitol halls, and without much general public attention, it did have a life in Colusa.

On Saturday, Janis Ramazzini, Nathan's mother, circulated a letter of support for SB399 among the parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Colusa, among them, Ingebretsen family members.

"This was a crime of rage and hate," said Valorie Ingebretsen, Erik's mother, who was admittedly outraged that Janis Ramazzini has pushed the agenda on behalf of a son, Ingebretsen likens to criminals such as Charles Manson.

"That's what I call him. I won't say his name," Ingebretsen said.

Still, the Catholic Church supported the legislation, believing basically that youth offenders are redeemable.

Ingebretsen won't comment on the church's position, stating only that she loves the church and she is devout to the faith.

Poyner was less inclined to give the church a pass.

"I guess they believe (juvenile killers) are redeemable, and their priests," Poyner said.