A Tucson man who has already served five years in prison for one murder is facing a life sentence in the shooting death of another man.
Late Friday afternoon, a Pima County jury convicted David Armando Gomez, 24, of first-degree murder in the Sept. 9, 2011, death of Richard "Gordo" Rios, 21, outside the El Dorado Bar, 1749 S. Fourth Ave.
In the weeks before Rios died, he was pushed into a pool at the home of Bobby Gonzales and not permitted into a party at the same home several days later, according to court testimony.
On Sept. 9, 2011, witnesses said, Rios confronted Gonzales outside the bar, demanding to know the whereabouts of one of Gonzalez's friends - the friend who wouldn't allow him into the party.
Rios shot Gonzales in the abdomen, and, seconds later, Gomez shot Rios in the head.
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Gonzales survived and testified at the trial.
Gomez was arrested about three weeks later after a six-hour standoff that ended when SWAT team members threw tear gas into the home where he'd barricaded himself.
Defense attorney Jack Lansdale argued Gomez's actions were justified, but Deputy Pima County Attorney Lewis Brandes argued his actions constituted premeditated, first-degree murder.
Gomez is facing a life sentence with or without the possibility of release. Judge Howard Hantman will sentence him May 21.
Gomez was sentenced to 10 years in prison in March 2008 after pleading guilty to manslaughter, but his sentence was later reduced to five years after it was discovered a prior conviction was improperly used against him, according to court documents.
In that case, Gomez admitted he shot 18-year-old Daniel Martinez to death in July 2005 in an alley between South Eighth and Ninth avenues near West 24th Street.
At the time of Gomez's guilty plea, Deputy Pima County Attorney Casey McGinley said detectives believe Gomez shot Martinez in the heart because of a grudge.
Court documents indicate witnesses said the incident was drug-related.
Prior to being sentenced in that case, Gomez told a probation officer he would struggle with taking another life for the rest of his own life. He said he wanted to be a productive member of society and he hoped the Martinez family would be able to forgive him.
The manslaughter conviction was his fourth felony conviction.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com
