CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Guilty pleas for all three teens arrested after Westcrest Park murder

A year and a half after 15-year-old Derek “Peachy” Juarez-Lopez was stabbed to death in Westcrest Park, the case is one hearing away from resolution. We discovered while checking on court files that all three teenagers arrested after the murder have pleaded guilty – though the murder charge was dropped for one who subsequently pleaded guilty to robbery. That’s the motive investigators cite in the murder, saying that the victim was lured into the wooded park so that marijuana could be stolen from him. Here’s what has happened to the three people arrested and charged a month and a half after the murder, all originally charged with first-degree murder:

–Diego Carballo-Oliveros, now 17: He has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He is expected to be sentenced next week; prosecutors are recommending 20 years plus a two-year sentence to follow for deadly-weapon use.

–Elizabeth Cabrera-Aparicio, now 18: She pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, under juvenile prosecution, and has been sentenced to remain in custody until she is 21, another two and a half years.

–Jonatan Islas-Martinez, now 19: The murder charge against him was dropped and he pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery with use of a deadly weapon. This past Monday, at a hearing that court documents say was attended by family and friends of the victim, he was sentenced to five years and five months, the last two years as the “deadly-weapon enhancement.”

The victim was killed one day before he was to start his sophomore year at Chief Sealth International High School, where he was remembered at a vigil less than two weeks later.

newnative March 6, 2019 (3:36 pm)

first degree murder and she gets barely over 3 years while the guy who plead to 2nd degree might get 20+ and the guy who plead to robbery gets 5 1/2? that’s crazy.

WSB March 6, 2019 (5:11 pm)

Carballo-Oliveros is the one who, prosecutors say, actually did the stabbing. After it happened, all three left the victim to bleed to death – no one called for help.

coffeedude March 6, 2019 (3:53 pm)

Its sad that a kid ruins their life. And its even worse when the 2 get minimal sentences for this. They all should have got 20 years.

WW Resident March 6, 2019 (4:18 pm)

All over a little weed

Ponyboy March 7, 2019 (9:07 am)

More than that, these kids think they need to live this way.

Question Authority March 6, 2019 (4:21 pm)

Drugs and Youth are a poor match.

dc March 6, 2019 (4:30 pm)

2.5 years…? 5 years…? Disturbingly small sentences for a murder. My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this boy.

Seattlite March 6, 2019 (4:42 pm)

Sociopathic behavior is becoming more and more prevalent. These three juvenile delinquents thought it was okay to rob and stab another teen. Is this what is known today as groupthink? These three are paying the price for their criminal actions which is a good thing.

neighbor March 6, 2019 (7:04 pm)

I am at a loss for words. He was murdered because he had marijuana on his person. Which is illegal for a teen. And others knew he had it, cornered him, he wouldn’t give it up, they killed him over it. There is only three reasons you kill someone over drugs. They owe you, they have more than marijuana, or you’re in a gang and there is an issue between the two of you. Having lost my brother to gang violence, there’s always a better way.

Susan March 6, 2019 (7:13 pm)

What really gets me is that Peachy was involved with Southwest Youth and Family Services/Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, doing his best to get away from the violence that surrounded…and took…him.

1994 March 6, 2019 (9:03 pm)

20 years for taking a life -that does not seem like enough of a consequence for taking a life. Taking a life is a forever event. This was not an accident, the taking was intentional.

south delridge gal March 6, 2019 (9:32 pm)

This is the saddest story to come out of our neighborhood. That poor 15 yr old boy. I always think of him when I pass the entrance to Westcrest Park. My condolences to his family. Thank you for letting us know about the guilty pleas.

henrythepainter March 6, 2019 (9:59 pm)

That’s why you gotta say no to drugs !!!

Mike March 7, 2019 (6:10 am)

Our system is a joke, read this article about how many opportunities Diego has been given https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/king-county-sticks-with-peace-circles-for-juvenile-crime-even-after-a-murder-charge/ Elizabeth Cabrera-Aparicio had lured Derek into this murder. All of this was premeditated murder. This isn’t some quick action with an OMG I can’t believe what I did, after. They went in with the intent to kill. These individuals do not belong out of prison, ever. Jonatan Islas-Martinez is getting away with a minor infraction on his record, for being part of a murder that they were all in on, they had planned it out ahead of time.I truly hope that police are further investigating their circle of connections that made them into cold blooded killers.

ScubaFrog March 10, 2019 (11:16 am)

They’d have gotten more time if they beat him into a coma. When I was 18, people were killing each other in the gang wars in the 1980’s and early 90’s. Many got natural life. None of them deserved more than 25, and a lot were sentenced as juveniles.These kids get 2 years now? 5? And 20 for the killer. He’ll be out in his 20’s for good time. All of them will recommit, I guarantee you. We’ll ultimately suffer, because there’s no rehabilitation in prison. It’s a school for criminals.

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