Beer pong assault nets seven years
Jack Daniel Trujillo pleaded guilty for his part in a fight that killed one person and injured another
A second man was sentenced to seven years in prison Wednesday for his role in a fight over a game of beer pong that left one person dead and another with a gunshot wound.
Jack Daniel Trujillo, 23, pleaded guilty to charges including tampering with evidence and aggravated battery in an agreement that required a sentence of between two and 10½ years. Prosecutors said he shot Jaime Acevez in the leg. His co-defendant, Esias Madrid, shot and killed Arturo Villa.
Police said Villa and Acevez bet their watches on a game of beer pong, a drinking game in which teams toss ping-pong balls into cups of beer. When they lost, they refused to give up their watches. A fight broke out and shots were fired.
Second Judicial District Judge Briana Zamora criticized the choices Trujillo made that night, and said it was “fairly obvious” that his decisions would lead to trouble.
“I’m concerned that you would make a choice to go anywhere near drugs, alcohol and guns,” she said, “particularly when they’re all three mixed together.”
But she also said she could see that he felt tremendous remorse and commended him for using his time in custody wisely by working toward his high school diploma.
In a letter read aloud by one of his attorneys, Trujillo apologized repeatedly to the Villa family and to Acevez, and asked for their forgiveness.
“My intention was not to hurt you the way I did, I promise,” he said. “I was in fear, and panicked, and reacted very foolishly. I thank God everyday that you (Acevez) came to be OK, and back home to your family and loved ones.”
Villa’s mother, who spoke in court, said she hoped Trujillo would never have to experience the loss of a child.
“I hope you are aware of the great pain you have caused,” she said. “Not only did my son lose his life, but you have also taken mine with his.”
Madrid was sentenced in January to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder. He is also facing charges in the drive-by shooting that killed Manzano High student Jaydon Chavez-Silver.