Sentencing is ahead this week for the alleged gunman in Jesus Avila’s murder nearly six years ago.
Samuel Garcia will learn his fate shortly after 1 pm.
Now 23, Garcia was originally charged with 11 counts, including first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated robbery and arson. He pleaded no contest in May to second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.
Shortly after the arrests of several co-defendants and before Garcia was arrested, the co-defendants named Garcia as the gunman as part of early court proceedings. Garcia, Alan Alanis, Jordy Cornejo-Campoverde, Andrew Granado, Armando Nunez and Jovan Pecina were allegedly communicated with each other to kill Avila before Garcia allegedly shot Avila. Aside from Nunez, who is serving a nearly four-year sentence on lesser charges, the remaining defendants are then accused of conspiring to take money, a speaker and assault rifle from Avila’s car, burn Avila’s body and dispose of the pistol that was allegedly part of the incident in September 2017.
Upcoming hearing dates for the remaining defendants:
*Thursday, 11 am: Review hearing for Jordy Cornejo-Campoverde
*Aug. 21, 9 am: Plea hearing for Jovan Pecina
*Aug. 21, 10 am: Plea hearing for Andrew Granado
*Aug. 21, 10:30 am: Plea hearing for Alan Alanis
