Killer of Pregnant Girl Gets 35 Years to Life
A gang member who pleaded guilty to firing his gun into a converted garage, killing a pregnant teenager and her unborn child, was sentenced Friday to 35 years to life in prison.
Eduardo Yepez Guerrero, 20, avoided a sentence of life without parole by pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree murder. His random gunshot struck and killed Yuridia Balbuena, 15, who was seven months pregnant. Despite an emergency caesarean section, the fetus died.
Attorney Michael Giannini said Guerrero did not intend to kill Balbuena but fired in frustration after not being able to find her brother.
Guerrero had initially been charged with a “retaliatory” special circumstance because Balbuena’s brother had testified against one of his fellow gang members.
Prosecutors said the special circumstance was dropped because it was difficult to prove whether Guerrero knew anyone was in the garage.
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.
