07/15/08

In October of 2006 - 39 year old Tomas Nunez Lopez was found dead with gunshot wounds in his head and abdomen - in a house northeast of Rupert.

16 year old Jeston Ray Lopez was charged with first degree murder.

Minidoka County Prosecutor Nikki Cannon told the court "After he had settled on the idea of killing his father, he even went so far as to think of what he might do after that. Spend his money, kill himself, go to his grandma's, run away."

Lopez’s defense attorney Keith Roark retorted to the court, "We have two experts in this case, and they agree that if Jeston's father had built attachments with his son, we wouldn't be in this courtroom on this crime on this day."

A plea bargain agreement allowed Lopez to plead guilty to second degree murder. That same plea bargain allowed the prosecution, the defense, and the Lopez family to agree on a minimum sentence - of 15 years.

Jeston Ray Lopez finally addressed the court just before sentencing and said, "I know that my actions are cause for punishment. And whatever punishment you impose, I will take responsibility for it and try to do the best of my ability. That is all, your honor."

District Judge Barry Wood sentenced Lopez, now 18 years old, to a minimum of 15 years in the Idaho State Penitentiary with a maximum of life in prison.