SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / A news summary : The Regional Review / DEVELOPMENTS IN ORANGE, RIVERSIDE, SAN BERNARDINO AND VENTURA : Man Gets Life Term for Fatal Kidnap Attempt

VENTURA COUNTY —  A Camarillo businessman whose ill-conceived plan to kidnap a restaurant owner took a deadly turn was ordered Tuesday to spend the rest of his life in prison, without a chance for parole.

Jose Vazquez, 38, sat expressionless during a two-hour sentencing hearing for the murder of Felipe Arambula.

As Vazquez walked out of court, he quietly cursed at several members of the Arambula family who had urged the judge to impose a harsh sentence.

On June 13, 1998, Arambula was fatally shot six times at his upscale Ventura home while trying to fight off two intruders, later identified as William David Hampton Jr., 20, and Manuel Vasquez, 21.

Prosecutors say the pair were sent by Jose Vazquez to kidnap Arambula because he allegedly owed $50,000 to the defendant’s wife, Monica Vazquez.

Jose Vazquez denied any involvement in a kidnapping scheme.

But Ventura County Superior Court Judge Donald Coleman said the evidence clearly shows Vazquez orchestrated the kidnapping, hired the two men, and gave one of them a firearm. While he may not have intended to kill Arambula, the judge said, Vazquez was still legally responsible for his death.

Earlier this year, Hampton admitted his role in the shooting after waiving a jury trial. He is now serving a life prison sentence without the possibility of parole.

Authorities believe Manuel Vasquez fled the country. They are trying to locate him in Mexico.