This case finally wrapped up last week.
HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas (
ValleyCentral) — Christian Treviño, one-half of the Treviño brothers accused of killing their stepfather, Gabriel Quintanilla, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to capital murder and aggravated assault charges on Monday.
Hidalgo County District Attorney Terry Palacios says the 10-year sentence comes as a result of Christian being part of all three attacks on Quintanilla. He also mentioned that Christian was wearing brass knuckles at the time of the attack, which did not help his case.
Treviño entered his plea at 8:30 a.m. and was initially scheduled to go on trial Oct. 27 in the 93rd state district court.
Christian’s brother, Alejandro Treviño, had his case dismissed. DA Palacios said that Alejandro did not go back to inflict harm on Quintanilla after the first attack. Despite having his criminal case dismissed, records show that Alejandro faces an ICE hold.
Juan Eduardo Melendez, a friend of the brothers, was also in court Monday and waived his right to a jury trial to go before witnesses. The judge explained to Melendez that the charge of manslaughter carries a sentence of between two and 20 years, with a fine not exceeding $10,000.
Melendez was initially indicted on charges of capital murder and aggravated assault.
Melendez is being represented by Attorney Louis Sorola, who proposed that his client be sentenced to seven years of deferred adjudication. However, a judge decided to sentence Melendez to 10 years of deferred probation. The DA said he did not participate in all three attacks and was not armed, making the prospects of convicting him on an attempted murder charge less likely.
“One didn’t have a weapon, and he was involved in just the kicking or punching,” Palacios said in reference to Melendez. “So, I don’t think there was any intent to kill on the person with the manslaughter charge. I don’t think we could’ve proved that, so that’s why we allowed him to plead.”
Melendez will be set free.
DA Palacios says this should send a message that vigilantism will not be tolerated.
Background
In 2022, Quintanilla had a warrant out for his arrest for continuous sexual assault of a child, according to Pharr police. Police stated Quintanilla’s alleged history of continuous assault happened between 2014 and 2016 in a separate incident unrelated to the individuals involved in this case.
When relatives, Alejandro and Christian, heard about the abuse, they confronted Quintanilla at the residence, which resulted in a physical fight, police said. Quintanilla then left the residence.
Christian ran after Quintanilla and found him outside an apartment complex down the road by Lyndon and Coyote in Pharr. There, a second assault took place.
Police then say Alejandro and a driver of a red Dodge Charger, identified as Melendez, caught up and joined the assault on Quintanilla.
Later that day, the three teens dropped off Alejandro at his home. After dropping him off, Christian and Melendez saw Quintanilla walking along Veterans Road alone and injured.
The boys beat him for a third time, placed him in the bed of their truck, and dropped him off in an open field off McColl and Whalen Road. Officials believe he was still alive when he was left at the location.
An investigation revealed Quintanilla was severely beaten with brass knuckles and that he suffered severe head trauma.
...they spun the block in a new whip to tune dude up some more. they're hispanic in texas, they're going to do serious time.
I couldn't do it...but that would be a nice a govt job.
