Shihab Wesaga, one in every of three males charged with a 2021 deadly taking pictures throughout a Kearns drug theft, has been sentenced to not less than 36 years and as much as life within the Utah State Jail. Spenser Heaps, Deseret Information
One among three males charged in a 2021 deadly taking pictures throughout a drug-related theft has been ordered to serve not less than 36 years and as much as life within the Utah State Jail.
A jury in April discovered Shihab Wesaga, 20, responsible of all fees — homicide, a first-degree felony; 11 counts of felony discharge of a firearm, three first-degree felonies, 4 second-degree felonies and 4 third-degree felonies; aggravated theft, a first-degree felony; and obstructing justice, a second-degree felony.
Third District Choose Coral Sanchez sentenced Wesaga Thursday to fifteen years to life for the homicide cost. As well as, he was sentenced to a few phrases of 5 years to life and a time period of three to fifteen years in jail that have been ordered be served consecutive to the homicide cost. The opposite sentences — a time period of 5 years to life, a time period of 1 to fifteen years, a time period of three to fifteen years, and 6 phrases of three to 5 years — will probably be served concurrent with one another however consecutive to the homicide cost.
Altogether, Wesaga was sentenced to not less than 36 years and as much as life behind bars.
On March 9, 2021, police say Alonso Gerardo Garcia-Mendoza, 32, and two mates went to a church parking zone at 5305 W. 5400 South in Kearns, to take part in a drug deal.
As a substitute of a drug deal, nonetheless, once they acquired there, Wesaga, Jonathan Montrail Johnson, Dalmar Mohamed Abdi, and a boy who was 15 on the time, as a substitute shot the three victims throughout a theft try, based on charging paperwork.
Letari Washington, then 28, was shot within the chest and each of his lungs collapsed. He was taken to a neighborhood hospital in important situation, fees state. Brence Hadley, then 35, was shot within the hand and likewise suffered facial accidents when Garcia-Mendoza's automotive crashed as he tried to drive away after being shot.
Between three and 4 bullet holes have been discovered within the automotive windshield, and 12 shell casings have been discovered within the parking zone, fees state.
After the taking pictures, Wesaga, Johnson, Abdi and the teenager went to a close-by Maverik and have been recorded on safety cameras, based on fees. Their automotive was later discovered deserted in a close-by neighborhood.
Abdi instructed police the teenager boy had made the plan to satisfy the victims and rob them, and Johnson and Wesaga have been supposed to be the gunmen, per charging paperwork. Johnson and Abdi, like Wesaga, are each charged with homicide, aggravated theft, obstructing justice and 11 counts of discharge of a firearm.
A jury trial is scheduled for Johnson Sept. 26. Abdi 's subsequent court docket look is Oct. 6. Data on the standing of the teenager's fees was not out there.