(WatchDogReport.org) – Eighteen-year-old Francisco Daniel Aguilar was sentenced to 25 years to life for murdering his girlfriend, Jacqueline Nunez, in January of 2023. Judge Marvin Bagley delivered the maximum sentence after Aguilar showed shockingly little remorse during the court proceedings.
Before handing out the sentence, Judge Bagley asked Aguilar why he killed Nunez, stating that her family deserved an explanation. Aguilar replied that his actions were “impulsive,” “irrational,” and based on anger. Judge Bagley questioned Aguilar further because the evidence presented in the case exhibited premeditation. Aguilar displayed no emotion when he again responded that he had acted “stupidly and out of anger.”
The murder occurred on January 8, 2023. Aguilar was 17 at the time, and Nunez was only 16. According to evidence presented during the trial, Aguilar and Nunez had argued that day. Aguilar had taken his father’s gun and ammunition before driving Nunez to a remote location about 200 miles south of Utah.
McKall Taylor, a friend of Nunez, was concerned and went in search of her friend. Taylor located Nunez and Aguilar on Doc Springs Rd. When Nunez saw her friend, she attempted to run towards Taylor’s vehicle. Aguilar then shot Nunez in the leg, shattering her femur. Aguilar fired shots at Taylor’s vehicle as well, shattering windows. Taylor sped away for her own safety. Aguilar then approached Nunez as she was lying in the middle of the dirt road and proceeded to shoot her in the head.
During the trial, Aguilar stated that he never intended to use the weapon and only took it along to scare Nunez. Judge Bagley said his claim didn’t “make any sense at all.”
Since Aguilar was only 17 when Nunez was killed, prosecutors could not charge him with a capital offense nor seek the death penalty. Despite this, Sheriff Marty Gleave of Piute County stated that he believes “justice was done” in the emotional case.
Nunez is remembered fondly by her family and community and “loved by so many.”
Copyright 2023, WatchDogReport.org
