Teen gets life sentence for murder of JB White
SANTA FE, N.M. — It’s been a month since a jury convicted Estevan Montoya of capital murder. A judge sentenced the 18-year-old to life in prison Wednesday.
Montoya shot and killed local basketball star JB White at a Santa Fe house party in 2020.
The hearing began with Montoya’ attorney asking the court to postpone the sentencing hearing until his client undergoes a more thorough evaluation. The state proposed the court proceed anyway, which is what the judge decided to do.
The decision was handed down following closing remarks from a few more witnesses and both legal teams.
Montoya was 16 when he committed the crime, so he cannot face a life sentence without the opportunity for parole. The judge said Montoya will be eligible for parole thirty years into his life sentence.
Sentencing
- First-degree murder: Life sentence (30 years)
- Tampering with evidence: 3 years
- Unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under 19: 364 days
- Negligent use of a deadly weapon: 180 days
Montoya is expected to be transported to the corrections department in Los Lunas immediately.