GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - One of two suspects in a fatal shooting in Grand Forks a year ago has been sentenced to eight years in prison under a deal with prosecutors, two days before the triggerman in the killing learns his fate.
Dametrian Welch, 19, was sentenced on Wednesday, WDAZ-TV reported (https://bit.ly/1MzmIJh ). He had pleaded guilty in March to burglary and facilitating murder and agreed to testify against Delvin Shaw, who shot 24-year-old Jose Lopez on June 24, 2014.
A jury last month convicted Shaw, 31, of burglary and murder. He could face life in prison without parole when he’s sentenced Friday. He represented himself at trial, unsuccessfully arguing that he was being portrayed as a “monster” and was being framed.
Lopez was shot three times in his Grand Forks apartment but wasn’t the intended target, according to police. Shaw went to the wrong apartment the day of the slaying, they said.
“They got the wrong apartment and my brother just paid for it,” said Lopez’s sister, Monique Lopez.
Welch was arrested in Grand Forks the day after the shooting. Shaw was arrested in St. Paul, Minnesota, four days after the shooting.
Welch apologized in court on Wednesday, saying he could have prevented Lopez’s death but didn’t. Members of Lopez’s family said they are grateful that Welch will spend time in prison but they had hoped for a longer sentence.
Lopez, at the time of his death, was expecting the birth of a second daughter.
“He has a princess that will never fully enjoy a father-daughter dance,” Monique Lopez said. “Instead of hugs, kisses and cards on Father’s Day, they will be leaving roses at his headstone.”
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Information from: WDAZ-TV, https://wdaz.com
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