White supremacist who stabbed Iranian-American man to death jailed for 56 years

Mr Tanber was sentenced to 56 years to life in prison

A self-described white supremacist gang member was sentenced to 56 years to life in prison, four plus years on Friday for the stabbing an Iranian-American man to death in 2015.

Craig Matthew Tanber was convicted of second-degree murder for stabbing Shayan Mazroei, 22, to death outside of a bar over Labor Day weekend.

The Mercury News reported that Mr Tanber offered a statement prior to his sentencing.

“To all that have suffered due to this, I deeply apologize,” he said. “No parent should outlive their child. If I could do one thing today, I’d bring your son back to you. I hope this closure starts the healing process to your hearts,” he said.

Mr Mazroei’s mother said that though the trial brought her no relief, she was happy Mr Tanber was going to prison.

“It’s not a relief for me,” she said. “I’m not going to get my son back. [But] society is safer … He’s not going to hurt anymore.”

Though he readily admitted to killing Mr Mazroei, Mr Tanber’s defence tried to argue that the murder was in self defence.

According to prosecutors, the events leading to Mr Mazroei’s death began when Mr Tanber’s then-girlfriend, Elizabeth Thornburg, insulted Mr Mazroei’s Middle Eastern heritage. Mr Tanber’s defence lawyers argue that Mr Mazroei insulted Ms Thornburg when she asked him his name.

As the argument escalated, Mr Mazroei and Ms Thornburg walked outside, and Ms Thornburg apparently began spitting on him. Mr Mazroei apparently spit once at Ms Thornburg in response. A bouncer kicked Mr Tanber and Ms Thornburg out of the bar, which enraged Mr Tanber, who then began ranting and shouting racial slurs and saying he wanted to stab someone. Mr Tanber apparently then burst back into the the bar, and shouted at Mr Mazroei, grabbing him and, punching him in the face and stabbing him in the heart.

After the stabbing, Mr Tanber fled the scene and was found several days later hiding out in a motel.

Ms Thornburg was charged as an accessory to Mr Mazroei’s murder and is awaiting trial. She has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors chose not to pursue a hate crime charge as they believed there was insufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

Mr Tanber was released from prison weeks before killing Mr Mazroei. He was convicted for playing a part in the death of a man who stole money from the ex-girlfriend of another white supremacist gang member.

Mr Tanber will have to serve 45 years in prison before he will be eligible for parole.