Albuquerque, New Mexico – Elias Urioste, 24, was sentenced to serve 40 years in a New Mexico prison for the 2007 murder of Rio Rancho resident Vincent Espinosa. Urioste had previously been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, kidnaping and seven other felony charges during his August 2009 trial.
In February 2007, police discovered Espinosa’s body burned on the Albuquerque West Mesa several weeks after his family reported him missing. Urioste, James Gordon and Jose Sullivan were later charged with his murder.
During the trial, the State argued that Urioste, Gordon and Sullivan conspired to rob Espinoza of jewelry and other items as the group rode around Albuquerque. Urioste took the stand in his own defense and admitted to shooting Espinoza once. He offered no explanation as to how the body of Espinoza was later found burned with additional gunshot wounds.
During the sentencing hearing before District Court Judge Carl Butkus, Espinosa’s mother spoke through tears about the loss of her son, an aspiring cage fighter and state champion high school wrestler. After hearing arguments from both the State and defense, Judge Butkus noted that “the jury has placed personal responsibility on Mr. Urioste”, and imposed a sentence of 40 years, the maximum available under New Mexico law.
District Attorney Kari Brandenburg again applauded the extensive dedication of both prosecutors and investigators involved in this case.
Both James Gordon and Jose Sullivan still face trial for their role in the killing. Trial dates for each have been postponed several times.Prosecutors with the Gang Crimes Division of the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case.
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