13-year-old sentenced to two years in CYFD custody in Chris Carnero shooting death
A 13-year-old was sentenced to two years in CYFD custody after pleading no contest in the shooting death of 13-year-old Chris Carnero in Las Cruces.
The juvenile pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and unlawful carrying of a handgun in the March shooting death of 13-year-old Chris Carnero
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - A 13-year-old was sentenced Tuesday to two years in a Children, Youth and Families Department facility after pleading no contest in the shooting death of 13-year-old Chris Carnero.
The juvenile pleaded no contest July 27 to involuntary manslaughter and unlawful carrying of a handgun by a person under 19, according to the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The plea came one day before trial was scheduled to begin.
District Court Judge Robert Lara imposed the two-year commitment Tuesday.
“The respondent took the life of another 13-year-old because of his actions,” District Attorney Fernando Macias said. “That more than justifies a two-year commitment.”
The shooting happened March 30 inside the Carnero family home in Las Cruces.
Prosecutors said the juvenile shot Chris in the back of the head. Chris’ parents, who were home at the time, heard a scream and found him semi-conscious in his bedroom.
Organ Mountain News
Chris was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced brain dead. His family later decided to remove him from life support and donate his organs.
According to the district attorney’s office, Chris’ organ donation has helped 18 people.
During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Macias showed the court a photograph taken the day of the shooting that prosecutors said showed the juvenile holding the gun later used in the shooting. He also showed other photographs of the juvenile holding weapons.
“He is mimicking the kind of lifestyle he has been engaged in and would continue to be engaged in without serious intervention,” Macias said. “With a two-year commitment, the respondent will have a far better outcome, a chance at a more structured life and a chance of deviation from the actions in the pictures shown to the court.”
Members of the Carnero family and several community members also addressed the court.
“I stand here today not just as a mother whose heart has been shattered, but as a terrified citizen of Las Cruces,” Chris’ mother, Janel Carnero, said. “My son Chris was the embodiment of pure love. I hope everyone loves like Chris.”
Chris’ father, Manny Carnero, told the juvenile that Chris had cared for him and that the Carnero family had opened its home to him.
“You get to live the rest of your life knowing you murdered another kid who loved you like a brother,” Manny Carnero said.
The case was prosecuted by Macias and Senior Trial Attorney Kyrsten Horgan and investigated by the Las Cruces Police Department.
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