Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Tucson, AZ: Tucson man given 7 years in fatal shooting

A Tucson man who admitted he shot and killed his mother's boyfriend and shot at another man was sentenced to seven years in prison Monday.

Angel Lerma, 18, was indicted on first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder charges two years ago in the death of Jorge Castillo, 36.

Last month Lerma pleaded guilty to manslaughter and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he was facing between seven and 36 years in prison.

Lerma shot Castillo, a registered sex offender who was in the country illegally, because he was beating Lerma's mother in front of several children, defense attorney Sheena Chawla has said. The second man was almost shot in the process, she said.

Soccer coaches, a counselor and a teacher wrote letters to Pima County Superior Court Judge Teresa Godoy on Lerma’s behalf, court documents state.

Godoy sentenced Lerma to seven years for the manslaughter and five years for the assault and ran them concurrently.

No comments: