Two brothers were sentenced to natural life in prison plus an extra 189 years each in the murder of a Tucson girl following a violent, unrelated home invasion.
Orel Vasquez, 21, and Christian Vasquez, 27, were convicted on 23 felonies, including first-degree murder, in late May in Pima County Superior Court.
Jurors heard evidence Patricia Robles was home with her two children and a cousin on Aug. 5, 2009, when a group of armed men came in demanding marijuana, money and jewelry. They left with a digital camera, cash and an iPod.
After fleeing the house, Orel Vasquez fired an AK-47, striking Brenda Arenas, 15, in the head as she traveled down the road with her mother, boyfriend and 3-year-old sister.
The Vasquez brothers and their cousin, Juan Carlos Leon, surrendered in January 2011. Leon, 30, admitted to being the getaway driver. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and burglary and testified against the brothers. He faces between seven and 42 years in prison when sentenced next week.
People are also reading…
Esmeralda Lopez-Sanchez told Judge Clark Munger the day her daughter died started out a happy one, she was excited about her upcoming quinceañera.
“In her mind that was the day her life would start,” it was as if she was a flower that would bloom on that day, Lopez-Sanchez said.
Lopez-Sanchez now lives in fear something will happen to her other children.
“I would like for your honor to do what is fair,” Lopez-Sanchez said. “I know this will not bring my daughter back, but I want justice to be served.”
Edith Robles, one of the home invasion victims, said she struggles with the thought she may have caused Arenas’ death by defying the home invaders. One of them was furious she refused his commands to stop looking at him and racked his weapon at one point.
She now is always looking over her shoulder and is unable to trust anyone, Robles said.
Deputy Pima County Attorney Julie Sottosanti asked Munger for aggravated, consecutive sentences, saying there were no mitigating factors in the case.
Orel Vasquez pulled the trigger and Christian Vasquez helped plan the home invasion after having been deported four times, Sottosanti said. He illegally re-entered the U.S. just 44 days before Arenas was killed.
“He seems incapable of following the rules of this country,” Sottosanti said.
The brothers clearly weren’t remorseful for their actions, Sottosanti said. When they fled to Mexico following the murder they began working for a drug cartel.
Defense attorneys Laura Udall and Sean Bruner asked Munger to give the brothers a chance at release on the murder count. Both said their clients never intended for anyone to get hurt or killed.
Neither brother spoke when given the opportunity.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at kimsmith@azstarnet.com or 573-4241.
