Two men whose aborted attempt to steal a woman’s fancy truck ended in the death of her 13-year-old brother in 2013 pleaded guilty to murder charges in Clayton County Superior Court Friday.
Gilberto Gomez received a life sentence to be followed by a 20 year sentence. Sergio Alvear received a 20 year sentence with no parole, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Both men were 18 at the time when police say they were enamored by the pick-up truck belonging to Steven Diaz’ sister Samaria and decided to take it from the brother and sister at gunpoint. The men became erratic when the truck wouldn’t start and attacked it, shooting and beating the vehicle.
Gomez was the gunman and Alvear swung a bat at the vehicle when the duo robbed Steven and Samaria, then 22.
Investigators canvasing the community were able to track down Gomez, and he eventually pointed them to Alvear. Both men were arrested two days after the crime and have been held in jail since then.
Steven was outside around 10:30 p.m. July 22, 2013 helping his sister prepare the truck her boyfriend gave her for its first official drive.
Samaria Diaz had just gotten the customized Chevrolet Silverado registered and insured earlier that day.
“Steven had just put the (license) tag on and was putting air in the tires for me,” she said at the time.
Police said the special butterfly doors, that swing up to open rather and out, is what attracted the would-be car thieves.
Diaz said she and her brother had been backing away from the gunman when Steven was hit.
“He shouted, ‘I’ve been shot,’” Diaz said at the time. “I was holding him in my arms when he died.”
Investigators believe there may be another suspect who remains at large.
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