Reseda Man Sentenced in 1985 Shooting Death
A 35-year-old Reseda man was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison for shooting and killing a 23-year-old man after a fight outside a Reseda bar four years ago.
Juvenal Pezaro Chavez was originally charged with murder but was convicted Oct. 27 of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter after a non-jury trial before Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Alan B. Haber.
Haber gave Chavez the maximum sentence under the law for killing Marcos Villa Godoy on Oct. 27, 1985, after a fight outside the Rincon Norteno Bar in Reseda.
A probation report noted that Chavez has nine aliases, two pending drug cases and no regular employment. It recommended that he receive the maximum term.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Kenneth A. Loveman said police believe Chavez was trying to keep Godoy out of the bar because there was a drug deal going on inside.
Chavez testified during the trial that he was carrying a gun because he is a musician and goes to clubs in dangerous areas.
The case did not come to trial until 1989 because Chavez was a fugitive for four years, according to the probation report.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
