SAN ANTONIO – Though he did not fire a shot, Ronnie Rosales, 20, was sentenced to 20 years in prison Tuesday for his role in the robbery and murder of Arturo Gutierrez.
Rosales and two other men, Joe Anthony Torres and Christian Garcia, set up a deal to purchase drugs from Gutierrez, 25, according to prosecutors.
The plan, they said, was to rob him of the drugs.
During the robbery, Torres shot Gutierrez to death.
During Rosales’ sentencing hearing, Gutierrez’s mother said, “I feel like I could forgive him one day, but I’m not at that stage yet.”
Rosales’ sister Elena Rosales said that her brother felt remorse following the murder.
“I’ve spoken with him about this situation and I know that it has impacted his heart,” she said.
Torres has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for his role in the murder. Garcia, like Rosales, was sentenced to 20 years.
All three were initially charged with capital murder and facing life in prison without the possibility of parole. Torres’ charges were later reduced to murder, and the other men’s charges were reduced to aggravated robbery.
Rosales must serve one half of his sentence before parole is a consideration.
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