May 12 – CHEYENNE – One of three defendants involved in the January Dell Range Boulevard shooting that led to the death of a Triumph High School student has pleaded guilty.
Nearly three months after 19-year-old Tirso Munguia tried to have the charges dismissed at a preliminary hearing, he pleaded guilty to one charge of involuntary manslaughter on May 1.
An injunction establishing guilt and ordering a pre-sentencing investigation was filed in Laramie County District Court on May 9, and his $75,000 bail will continue on the same terms until a sentencing is held. The sentencing is currently set for August 22 at 10:00 am in the district court.
The teen could have faced up to 20 years in prison, as well as a $10,000 fine, but the state will limit the recommended sentence to between eight and 12 years, according to the plea agreement. The agreement states that Munguia is free to plead for any punishment he deems “reasonable and appropriate”, and he agreed to pay all restitution.
Munguia was arrested after an investigation by the Cheyenne Police Department revealed he was in possession of a firearm when it fired on Jan. 9, leading to the accidental death of 16-year-old resident Angelina Harrison. He was in a vehicle driven by Sarah Heath, 26, at the time, sitting in the backseat next to gun owner Cody Nicholson, 18.
Both Heath and Nicholson were arrested along with Munguia after the shooting, and each was charged with an accessory to involuntary manslaughter charge. Heath was also charged with complicity in the crime, three counts of providing alcohol to a minor and one count of possession of marijuana.
Heath filed a motion on May 4 to seek a date for a change of plea. The reasons for the hearing requested by her lawyer were that she is currently on bail, has reached an agreement with the state and “it is in the interest of justice to bring the accused to trial as soon as possible”.
Court documents did not indicate whether a hearing was scheduled for her change of plea as of Friday.
This request follows District Judge Edward Buchanan’s denial of a motion to suppress evidence in the form of statements made by the defendant. Her attorney filed that motion on March 13 and was denied on May 3.
Nicholson’s case is scheduled for a jury trial beginning August 14 at 9 a.m. at the Laramie County Governmental Complex. The trial date was set after an April planning conference, and his previous $50,000 bail remains in effect, with the same terms.
Jasmine Hall is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle state government reporter. She can be reached by email at jhall@wyomingnews.com or by phone at 307-633-3167. Follow her on Twitter @jasminerhphotos and on Instagram @jhrose25.
