Two men were found guilty of first-degree murder and other charges on Friday in connection with a tragic shooting outside an Albuquerque baseball stadium in 2023 that claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy and left his cousin paralyzed. The high-profile case led to a controversial gun ban issued by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
Guilty Verdicts for Romero and Garley
A jury convicted Jose Romero and Nathen Garley, both in their early 20s, of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and shooting at or from a vehicle, among other charges. The verdict was announced by prosecutors in a statement following the trial.
The shooting occurred as vehicles were leaving the Isotopes Park baseball stadium. Investigators said Romero and Garley mistook a truck carrying a mother and three young children for another vehicle they were targeting. Gunfire struck 11-year-old Froylan Villegas, killing him, and paralyzed his cousin, Tatiana Villegas. Froylan’s mother and baby brother were in the vehicle but were not harmed.
Governor’s Gun Ban Sparks Controversy
The killing of Froylan Villegas, along with other child fatalities due to gun violence, prompted Governor Lujan Grisham to declare a public health emergency. As part of the emergency measures, she temporarily suspended the right to carry firearms in certain public spaces, including parks and playgrounds in the greater Albuquerque area.
The move sparked widespread debate, with gun rights advocates filing legal challenges and staging protests against the restrictions.
Seeking Justice for the Victims
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman expressed hope that the verdict would bring a sense of closure to Froylan’s grieving family.
“We hope this brings some sort of peace and justice to the Villegas family,” Bregman said after the trial.
Automatic Appeal Expected
Thomas Clark, Garley’s defense attorney, noted that the first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence and triggers an automatic appeal to the New Mexico Supreme Court. Clark acknowledged the devastating impact of the case on the Villegas family but emphasized his client’s right to due process.
“You have to respect the jury system,” Clark said. With the convictions secured, the case now moves to the sentencing phase, where both men face life in prison.
