Man Gets 52 Years to Life in Shootings

A 25-year-old Fillmore man was sentenced to 52 years to life in prison Thursday for fatally shooting a Santa Paula teen and injuring his brother during a 1997 brawl.

Jaime Arias was found guilty of second-degree murder, attempted murder and other charges in December.

Prosecutors say Arias shot 19-year-old Richard Macias Jr. during a fight at the house of Macias’ ex-girlfriend in Santa Paula on Jan. 3, 1997.

According to witnesses, Macias barged into the house and confronted Arias and another man, then ordered them to leave.

A fight began and Arias grabbed a gun that he had been carrying that night, according to testimony. When Macias saw the gun, he ran from the house. Arias then shot him in the back, prosecutors said.

Witnesses said Arias then jumped into the victim’s car and started to pull away when Macias’ brother, Jesse Duenas, tried to stop him. Arias shot him three times, prosecutors said.

After he left the scene, Arias burned the car alongside Santa Paula Creek and then fled to Mexico. He was arrested near Palm Springs in 1998 and brought back to Ventura County to stand trial.

Arias later told police he picked up the gun to defend himself from Macias.

A jury deliberated about a day before finding Arias guilty of murder. He was also found guilty of carjacking, arson and attempted murder.

During a sentencing hearing in Ventura County Superior Court, Macias’ parents told Judge Ken Riley they have suffered “a never-ending nightmare” since their son was killed.

Weeping, the parents sat side-by-side in court and pleaded with Riley to impose the harshest sentence under the law.

Gloria Venegas told Riley that her toddler grandson, Macias’ child, needs to know that his father’s killer will never get out of prison.

Arias must serve 85% of the 52 years, or more than 44 years, in prison before he is eligible for parole.