Fate of Yuma man accused in friend’s killing now in jury’s hands

YUMA,Ariz.(KYMA)-The fate of a Yuma man charged with murdering his friend is now in the hands of the jury.

Emotions were high in the courtroom today as both the defense and the prosecution delivered their closing arguments to the jury.

20-year-old Keith Simmons is charged with second-degree murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm in the August 2024 shooting death of 19-year-old Eduardo Dominguez.

Both the prosecution and the defense presented their closing arguments this morning.

“I believe the evidence is drawn out for you; it points to an accident,” said defense attorney Cid Kallen.

The prosecution stated that the defendant ignored the fact that the gun was malfunctioning and that the friends continued to use it, resulting in a tragic accident.

“A gun that he knew didn't behave correctly. While they were shooting that gun, it jammed multiple times,” said Deputy County Attorney Matthew Hansen.

The prosecution also stated that the defendant and his friends did not call 911 after the shooting and left the victim alone, only to be later found by a good Samaritan.

“Got in Adrian's vehicle and left. Neither of them contacted EMS, neither of them called 911, neither of them made sure that the victim was taken care of,” Hansen said.

The defense responded saying Simmons was panicked and didn't know what to do.

“But it had just been an ordinary day, and then in an instant he was expected to think clearly, but he couldn't have,” Kallen said.

If convicted, Simmons faces a possible sentence of 10 to 25 years in prison.