Where is Gary Allen Bortis now? Details about Fear Thy Neighbor subject explored

The case of Gary Allen Bortis was featured in Fear Thy Neighbor on Investigation Discovery, which explores violent neighbor disputes that escalate from minor issues to tragic outcomes. Originally airing in 2014, the show returned for season 10 in October 2024. Recent episodes, including Road to Ruin about the Bortis case, re-aired on October 30, 2024, at 8 p.m. EST and are available on Discovery+.

Gary Allen Bortis is currently serving a life sentence in California following his conviction for first-degree murder in the death of Lawrence Ficarra. As per the episode, Bortis was found guilty in 2007 and sentenced to 50 years to life at Folsom State Prison, where he remains without eligibility for early release.

His conviction included charges of firearm discharge with intent, as well as possession of assault weapons and machine guns, discovered in his home during the investigation. Although Bortis appealed his sentence in 2013, the request was denied, and he has remained incarcerated since.

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What did Gary Allen Bortis do?

Cops (Image sourced from Unsplash)

In 2005, Gary Allen Bortis and his girlfriend, Mary Anne Stein, were involved in a violent incident that led to the death of their neighbor, Lawrence Joseph Ficarra, in Loomis, California. The situation started over a property dispute when Ficarra purchased land adjacent to Bortis and Stein’s property and began developing it.

Bortis claimed an easement allowed him access across Ficarra's land, leading to escalating tensions between them over several months. On April 29, 2005, an altercation occurred when Bortis and his partner tried to drive across Ficarra's property, but Ficarra and a friend blocked their way. Later, Ficarra removed a fence Bortis had installed and allegedly threatened his partner with a hammer.

This ongoing dispute took a violent turn on September 8, 2005, when Bortis and Ficarra confronted each other again on the disputed property. According to witness accounts and police reports, Ficarra arrived at the scene and attempted to bypass Stein, who blocked his car.

During the altercation, Bortis opened fire, shooting Ficarra multiple times. Ficarra was hit eight times, sustaining fatal wounds to his left arm and torso.

Stein later claimed that Ficarra had attacked her and was choking her when Bortis intervened with the gunfire, a claim disputed by forensic evidence. Testimonies from neighbors and experts suggested Ficarra may not have been in a position to choke Stein at the time of the shooting.

In 2007, Gary Allen Bortis was convicted of first-degree murder for the shooting of Lawrence Joseph Ficarra, along with several weapons-related charges. During the trial, it was revealed that Bortis shot Ficarra multiple times, fatally injuring him. The conflict centered around a property dispute over an easement that Bortis claimed gave him rights to access land that Ficarra was developing.

The fatal altercation on September 8, 2005, began when Ficarra reportedly tried to bypass Bortis and his girlfriend, Mary Anne Stein, who were blocking the easement access. After a heated argument, Bortis fired his gun, killing Ficarra.

Cops (Image sourced from Unsplash)

Following Ficarra's death, a search of Gary Allen Bortis's residence uncovered an arsenal of weapons. This included illegal firearms, such as machine guns, assault weapons, and armor-piercing ammunition. The prosecution argued that this level of weaponry contributed to the dangerous and aggressive atmosphere between the two men.

Ultimately, the jury found Gary Allen Bortis guilty, sentencing him to 50 years to life in prison for the murder and firearms charges. Stein was also convicted but received a lesser sentence of 16 months for being an accessory after the fact, having claimed that Bortis acted to protect her from alleged violence by Ficarra.

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The episode about Gary Allen Bortis of Fear Thy Neighbor aired on October 30, 2024, at 8 p.m. EST.