CORTEZ, Colorado – Trinadie Xavier Lopez, a 19-year-old facing charges of first-degree assault in connection with a drive-by shooting, appeared in court on Tuesday for a plea hearing. The defense attorney, Richard Jaye, informed Judge Todd Plewe that the plea paperwork was not completed, potentially requiring a continuance. The proposed plea deal involved Lopez pleading guilty to the felony charge, which could result in a six-month sentence at the Montezuma County Detention Center. However, Plewe expressed concerns about the adequacy of this sentencing, given the severity of the crime.
Background information on Lopez’s involvement in the September street shooting was discussed in court. Jaye stated that there was no definitive way to determine who had fired the gun, as Lopez was seated behind the driver and shots were believed to have been fired from the back passenger seat. The district attorney acknowledged the lack of video evidence supporting the identification of the shooter, noting that three possible shooters were in the vehicle.
Plewe acknowledged the difficulty in proving the case and determining the responsible party, leaning towards a jury trial. Jaye, on the other hand, preferred a plea agreement, mentioning Lopez’s age and lack of criminal history. Plewe voiced concerns about the safety of the community and highlighted the potential for a greater sense of justice in a jury trial, especially in cases where the circumstances are unclear.
Lopez will have another plea hearing on March 26th at 11 a.m. If the plea agreement is not approved at that time, the case will proceed to a jury trial. The defense will present an additional potential plea deal during this hearing.
In conclusion, the defense’s plea hearing for Trinadie Xavier Lopez, charged with first-degree assault in a drive-by shooting case, was postponed due to incomplete paperwork. Both the defense attorney and Judge Plewe expressed concerns about the adequacy of the proposed plea deal, given the seriousness of the charges. The case may proceed to a jury trial if the plea agreement is not accepted at the next hearing.