Now just one defendant in the Jesus Avila murder case is awaiting word on whether he will be tried as an adult.
In a short hearing Tuesday, Samuel Garcia waived proceedings to try him as a juvenile. Lyon County Chief Judge Merlin Wheeler subsequently approved Garcia to be tried as an adult in Avila’s killing in September 2017, citing the nature of the alleged crime — where co-defendants have accused Garcia of being the gunman — and also past crimes, including a conviction as an adult on conspiracy to commit kidnapping from a 2017 case as well as separate cases of aggravated battery and criminal threat.
Garcia was the most recent of the defendants to be named. He’s facing first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and other charges. The first-degree murder charge carries a penalty of life in prison with no possibility of parole for 50 years if he’s convicted.
Garcia and five others are charged in the case. All were juveniles at the time of the killing, and currently Alan Alanis is the only defendant awaiting final word on a potential status change. Three others, Jordy Cornejo-Campoverde, Andrew Granado and Jovan Pecina, face first-degree murder and other charges. Armando Nunez is charged with aggravated robbery among other charges.
Garcia’s next hearing may take place April 4.
