1 of 4 suspects in Las Cruces shooting guilty
Posted at: 09/14/2012 9:04 AM
By: The Associated Press
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - A young Las Cruces man charged in the shooting death of a Vietnam veteran during what prosecutors say was a botched attempt at revenge has pleaded guilty.
Arron Valdivia pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and three other charges on Thursday. Prosecutor Scot Key tells the Las Cruces Sun-News that the 24-year-old's plea agreement requires him to testify against the other three suspects.
Prosecutors say Valdivia was a member of a tagging crew that tried to take revenge for the beating death of a friend in February 2011.
The four allegedly drove to nearby Mesilla Park to target the home of the man arrested in the case. Police say one of the young men opened fire on wrong trailer home and killed 57-year-old Julian Pena, Sr.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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