Las Cruces, NM (KKOB) – The trial of 16- year old Josiah Ontiveros, one of four arrested in connection with the mass shooting in March of last year at Young Park in Las Cruces, began with opening statements. Ontiveros is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy in connection with the killing of three teenagers and more than 14 others injured.
The defense argued that Ontiveros believed he was traveling to a party in El Paso that night rather than Young Park. His attorneys say that Ontiveros fired his gun reacting as Ruben Morales, one of the people shot and injured in the shooting, grabbed one of the other accused individuals.
The defense did acknowledged that Ontiveros was armed during the incident, they argued he should not be held responsible in the same manner as the other defendants. Two brothers have already been found guilty in this shooting.
