Calexico Murder Case Ends After Questions About Weapon

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)- Forty-eight-year-old Agustine Baca III was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison after pleading to second-degree murder in the death of his 29-year-old girlfriend.

Baca’s attorney, Veronica Henderson, says problems with the firearm influenced the outcome of the case. “The gun was not in good working condition. It may have had the potential to misfire or go off on its own,” Henderson said.

She added that those issues factored into the plea deal. “Rather than taking that risk, the district attorney’s office decided to make this offer,” Henderson said, noting the case could have gone to trial.

Henderson says Baca accepted the sentence and will be transported to the state prison system.