A Houston man convicted of capital murder was sentenced to life in prison without parole after he fatally shot a 21-year-old during a robbery, according to an announcement by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.
Harris County District Attorney, Kim Ogg, emphasized the severity of using a firearm to commit theft and taking someone’s life in the process. She referred to it as armed robbery and capital murder, categorizing it as a horrific example of gun violence. Ogg reassured the public that her office is committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families in such cases.
A jury convicted Daniel Leyva, 24, of capital murder after he fatally shot 21-year-old Edward Guerrero at approximately 8 p.m. on February 18, 2019.
Leyva was one of a group of men who planned a meeting with Guerrero to buy marijuana with the goal of robbing him. After reaching the agreed-upon place, Leyva and the other men robbed Guerrero at gunpoint.
During the heist, Guerrero tried to protect himself by pulling out his own revolver and shooting it at Leyva, injuring her upper body. Leyva returned fire, striking Guerrero in the head and killing him.
Assistant District Attorney Maroun Koutani, assigned to the DA’s Homicide Division, prosecuted Leyva in a five-day trial alongside ADA Dana Nazarova, the Homicide Division’s leader.
“It was crucial for the community to see this defendant being held responsible for his actions,” Koutani emphasized. “We are grateful for the dedication and thoughtful considerations of the jurors, who worked diligently to arrive at the right verdict. Thanks to the unwavering commitment of the Houston Police Department’s homicide investigators, justice has been served for the Guerrero family.”
Juan Castillo, aged 23, and Joel Ruiz, aged 24, have both pleaded guilty for their involvement in the crime. Castillo’s guilty plea was entered in 2022, while Ruiz’s plea came in 2023. As a result, both individuals have been sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Leyva received an automatic life sentence in prison after being found guilty of capital murder. He will never have the possibility of parole.