‘Unbelievably mindless’: Man despatched to jail for murdering 15-year-old on Salt Lake Metropolis sidewalk

SALT LAKE CITY — The grandmother and guardian of a 15-year-old who was stabbed to loss of life mentioned she misses his snigger and the hugs he gave her each time he left dwelling. Now, she says “good morning” and “good evening” to a photograph as a substitute of her grandson — Marcelino “Marci” Johnson.

“This man took every little thing away from Lino … he was a child,” Alecia Gonzales mentioned.

Nicolas Nazario Espana, 33, was given two sentences of 1 to fifteen years in jail for homicide and obstruction of justice, each second-degree felonies, throughout his sentencing on Monday.

“I’ve numerous mindless crimes that come earlier than me, however this one, so unbelievably mindless and so unusually ego pushed or one thing — I imply it does not make any sense,” third District Courtroom Decide Elizabeth Hruby-Mills mentioned.

She mentioned the sentences will run consecutively due to the “super gravity” of the crime.

Marcelino had been strolling with three different youngsters on Aug. 27, 2018, two 13-year-old ladies strolling forward of him, and a 15-year-old boy, when Espana and Enrique “Ramon” Deloza, 28, walked by.

Charging paperwork mentioned the 2 ladies instructed the boys the 2 males had “tried to influence the women” to go along with them, and when the boys encountered the boys, a struggle started.

Deputy Salt Lake County legal professional Vincent Meister mentioned Deloza was upset he bought bested by a 15-year-old and requested Espana for a knife earlier than stalking Marcelino down an alley. He mentioned Espana started throwing the rocks, initiating the struggle once more, after which known as Deloza over as a result of he was dropping.

Meister mentioned Marcelino had two stab wounds, one on his face and one which hit his femoral artery.

“It was two-on-one,” he mentioned.

Meister mentioned, Espana initially mentioned Deloza stabbed Marcelino however, later, Espana took credit score for stabbing Marcelino and mentioned “it was self-defense.” Meister mentioned blood spatter proof helps Deloza was the one who did the stabbing. He mentioned the blended tales are one of many causes the case took virtually six years to resolve.

The homicide costs for each Espana and Deloza had been diminished from a first-degree felony as a part of a plea deal, and a cost of possession of a harmful weapon as a restricted particular person, a third-degree felony, was dismissed for each males.

“His kindness bought him killed. All he needed to do was stroll his buddy dwelling,” Marcelino’s grandmother mentioned of the sufferer.

Gonzales mentioned now they won’t see her grandson have a profession or have kids. She talked about Marcelino’s siblings and nephews, who ought to’ve nonetheless had him of their lives, and mentioned the household dynamic has modified. They do not rejoice birthdays or holidays anymore, the grandmother mentioned.

She mentioned the household has waited by way of ache and heartache for six years already. The ache, she added, is piercing and fixed and “does not get higher, it will get worse.”

“Nobody ought to must undergo that — not my household, not anyone’s household — and Marcelino didn’t must die, and he actually didn’t must die the way in which he did,” Gonzales mentioned.

She mentioned she is aware of in her coronary heart her grandson is “in a greater place,” however mentioned, if it weren’t for Espana, he could be together with her. She mentioned he ought to have stood at her grave as a substitute.

“Marcelino wasn’t excellent, however he was excellent for me, and he was excellent for my household,” Gonzales mentioned.

She instructed Espana she forgives him, to honor Marcelino’s reminiscence, however instructed him there’s something mistaken with him, and he must be the place he cannot harm others.

“You are not like the remainder of us, and there isn’t any place for you with first rate folks,” she mentioned.

Rudy Bautista, Espana’s legal professional, mentioned Espana acknowledges his mistake and acknowledges that it warrants a jail sentence.

“He is trying ahead to persevering with to vary his life for the higher,” he mentioned.

Espana mentioned he has nightmares and he let his personal youngsters and household down, in addition to the sufferer’s household.

“I simply wish to apologize to the sufferer’s household. I am sorry that I took their child from this world. I actually apologize, and I really feel it day by day,” he mentioned.

The opposite man concerned within the stabbing, Deloza, 28, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 29.