FOLLOWUP: Final sentence in Westcrest Park murder

Earlier this month, we reported that all three teenagers arrested after the September 2017 Westcrest Park murder of 15-year-old Derek Juarez-Lopez had pleaded guilty, and that two had been sentenced. That left 17-year-old Diego Carballo-Oliveros, eventually identified as the one who had fatally stabbed the victim while robbing him. He had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder but his hearing had to be delayed. It was finally held earlier this week and court documents show he was sentenced to a total of 21 years, including a two-year “enhancement” for deadly-weapon use. That’s one year less than prosecutors had recommended. The plea agreement and sentence incorporate an earlier robbery case against the defendant, for which he was still awaiting trial at the time of the murder.

11 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Final sentence in Westcrest Park murder"

  • MJ March 16, 2019 (12:58 pm)

    The victim was 15 years old, say the average life expectancy is 75 years that is 60 years of life taken away.  The purp’s sentence does not equate to the crime and the life taken away!

    • heartless March 16, 2019 (5:16 pm)

      I’m not sure “eye for an eye” has ever been seen as a cornerstone of justice–at least not by anyone with a moral compass and more than half a brain.  But you do you, MJ.

      • Jess March 17, 2019 (12:22 pm)

        You’re heartless!

  • Buttercup March 16, 2019 (1:00 pm)

    Whatever happened to the trail of the girl who had someone murder a man outside his house in Westwood. Didn’t it go to trial the end of February?

    • WSB March 16, 2019 (1:21 pm)

      No, it’s in the usual delay/delay phase. Next possible trial date tentatively set for May, pending results of readiness (omnibus) hearing in mid-April.

  • bill March 16, 2019 (2:56 pm)

    Good riddance scumbag

  • Admiral Mom March 16, 2019 (7:23 pm)

    I am so sad about all this… a precious life cut short and now a kid sentenced to 21 years. I know this kid committed a crime and took away the life of a young person but this truly is a tragedy all around. Being a teen is harder than ever, I know. I walk this walk everyday as a mother of three teenagers who with all the love, guidance and support I provide, make some stupid choices they are not proud of. Just think about these kids… broken home? Maybe. absent parents? Perhaps. But most importantly the result of a society that doesn’t understand their needs and a school system that’s has failed them. Norhing will bring back the lost life. This is a terrible loss everyone involved. 

    • Ws prayers March 16, 2019 (7:30 pm)

      Funny I just posted something very similar bright before you admiral mom-I just saw what u posted and felt some comfort I’m not the only one ….who feels the pain in this all the way around mom to mom-hearts beat the same 

    • Rara March 16, 2019 (10:59 pm)

      Totally. It’s so unfortunate. All the way around. Total loss for all their loved ones. Just makes me want to cry. Young people haven’t developed the decision making part of the brain until what? 23-24? We just have to continue talking to our children about circumstances and decision making. They all make bad choices. But we can help by annoying the hell out of them with our speeches. 

  • Ws prayers March 16, 2019 (7:27 pm)

    21 years…I think about peachy (Derek) alot his death was a reality i never wanted to experience as it was one of my sons classmates I think about AJ too the guy who killed the man when they got off the bus-another classmate….these teens threw their life away and took other lives with them-diego might not literally have had is life taken but reality is he won’t be out of the system … it’s not going to be the life I’m sure his parents hoped for and definitely….the life he took -its all bad …  it is so hard having a teenager..  it is literally terrifying-as a parent u never know u never think that it could be ur kid and if u do think the what ifs what can a parent do-powerleassess over circumstances over our kids choices-all we can control is the seeds we are planting in their lives..  and pray….the seeds take root … that they develop a conscious that they would never imagine taking a life… ever….and for protection- because it happends it does -prayers go up for every person involved in this prayers for their families and for our youth-the violence has to stop… it’s killing people 

  • Pete March 17, 2019 (12:08 am)

    I know a lot of people that’s went to that same school & had bad home lives, including myself.. but we didn’t turn around and murder someone. We can blame the school, or just teenager social struggles, but those are just excuses/justifications. End of the day…a crime is a crime, don’t provide reasons. 

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