Murder suspect plea deal accepted

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - One of the suspects accused of murdering a 27-year-old barber in Somerton back in May 2022 appeared in court on Friday and his plea deal was accepted by the judge.

This latest plea deal reduces the charge for 34-year-old Joshua Cota from first-degree murder to second-degree murder.

This means that, instead of facing life in prison, he faces only 20 years behind bars.

After the hearing, the mother of the victim expressed her outrage.

"These people planned the murder, entered my house, killed him from behind… With me, my other son, and my husband there. Just steps away from me… It's first-degree… They're calling it second-degree. That's what I can't understand," said Edith Martinez, the victim's mother.

Judge Claudia González accepted the plea deal presented by the prosecutor and defense attorney.

Melendez, who was a barber in Somerton was shot to death in May of 2022 in his garage where he cut hair.

"I feel very disappointed and I am very afraid because I have horrible post-traumatic stress. The way he murdered him. Coming into my house… Killing him from behind… While I was right there. It horrifies me that this person could be back on the streets," expressed Edith.

Joshua Cota's sentencing is scheduled for February 16.

There are two other suspects involved in this case, Cota’s brother, Gregorio Cota, and Johnny Valenzuela.

Both have pending court cases.