LOS ANGELES -- Two Synanon 'Imperial Marines' were sentenced to a year in jail and three years' probation Friday for conspiring to murder a lawyer by putting a rattlesnake in his mailbox.
Superior Court Judge William P. Hogoboom also ordered Lance Kenton, 22, and Joseph Musico, 30, not to associate with any members of Synanon, participate in any Synanon activity or live in any Synanon-related residence.
Kenton, son of the late band leader, Stan Kenton, was given credit for 80 days time served and Musico was credited with 90 days.
Both were members of Synanon's 'Imperial Marines,' a security group within the drug and alcohol rehabilition organization.
A third defendant, Synanon founder Charles Dederich, earlier was put on five years' probation, fined $10,000 and ordered to make restitution to the victim for his medical expenses following the snakebite incident.
Dederich, Kenton and Musico pleaded no contest July 15 to charges connected with the rattlesnake attack on attorney Paul Morantz who had won a lawsuit against Synanon. Morantz was bitten on his hand when he reached into his mailbox.
In sentencing the two men, Hogoboom said the case 'should be a message that under our system we can't tolerate any organization or individuals imposing their views on society by threats or violence.'
The judge turned down a request by prosecutor John Hayes that he also order Kenton and Musico to not associate with each other.
He also gave Musico, a Vietnam veteran and former heroin addict, permission to return to New York to live with his family.
Morantz, who recovered from his wounds and testified against the defendants, told reporters after the court session that he was 'extremely pleased' with the sentences.
'I'm still in fear,' he added, 'but not to the same extent as in the past. I like to think Synanon has learned a lesson.'
