Anthony Rauda has been sentenced to 119 years to life in prison for the murder of research scientist Tristan Beaudette at Malibu Creek State Park in June 2018. Judge Eleanor J. Hunter initially imposed a sentence of 142 years to life but later corrected it after realizing an error in the calculation.
A downtown Los Angeles jury found Rauda guilty of second-degree murder for killing Beaudette, who was camping with his two daughters at the time. Rauda was also convicted of three counts of attempted murder, including two involving Beaudette’s daughters, as well as five counts of second-degree commercial burglary. However, the jury acquitted him of seven other attempted murder charges related to additional shootings in the same area.
During the trial, the prosecutor presented ballistics evidence linking a rifle found in Rauda’s backpack to the fatal bullet that killed Beaudette. Rauda was also connected to other burglaries and shootings in the vicinity of Malibu Creek State Park.
Rauda had waived his right to be present in the courtroom during the trial but was brought in restrained and wearing a spit hood for the sentencing. His defense attorney argued for reasonable doubt, highlighting unanswered questions and the presence of unidentified DNA on cigarette butts found near the crime scene.
Tristan Beaudette’s brother-in-law testified during the trial, describing the tragic discovery of Beaudette’s lifeless body next to his daughters in a pool of blood. The sentencing marks the conclusion of a chilling case that left Beaudette’s family devastated.
