Sentencing rescheduled after judge rejects plea offer
Deal nixed for man shot after home invasion through doggie door
A Yuma County Superior Court judge rejected a plea bargain on Wednesday for the Yuma man who was shot by a homeowner after he entered the house through a doggie door while trying to avoid being captured by police.
Jesus Gildardo Coronado, who remains in custody at the Yuma County jail on $140,000 bond, pleaded guilty to a plea agreement on Feb. 28 that stipulated he only be sentenced to one year in prison.
However, during his sentencing, Superior Court judge David Haws, citing his review of a presentence report, informed Coronado that he was instead imposing a two-year prison sentence.
Upon learning of the court’s intention, attorney David Schapiro, of the Yuma County Legal Defender’s Office, asked for a continuance.
Schapiro explained to the court that he was not Coronado’s regular attorney, and since the plea was being rejected, he should have the opportunity to speak with him in order to discuss other options.
Judge Haws granted Schapiro’s request and rescheduled sentencing for 8:30 a.m. on April 12.
According to Yuma police, the incident began around 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 13 when an officer spotted Coronado, who was wanted by police, near the Las Flores Apartments, located at 145 S. Avenue B.
A foot pursuit ensued, with Coronado running west across Avenue B and into a dirt lot on the corner of Augusta Drive, where he jumped the backyard fences of three residences.
At that point, officers lost sight of him, and while they were searching for him, Coronado made entry into a residence through a doggie door in the 2500 block of West Augusta Drive, where he was confronted by the homeowner, who was armed.
A confrontation then took place between the homeowner and suspect, during which several shots were fired, with one hitting Coronado in the hand.
Hearing yelling and the gunshots, police officers entered the residence and were told by the homeowner that the suspect had fled out the front door and had taken his weapon.
Coronado was located across the street and was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center with a gunshot wound that was not life threatening.