BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP) - A Thornton teenager who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the stabbing death of another teen has been sentenced to 36 years in prison.
The Adams County District Attorney’s Office says 18-year-old Matthew James Trujillo was sentenced Thursday for the Jan. 4, 2014, death of 18-year-old Anthony Benavidez. Trujillo was 17 at the time of the attack but was tried as an adult.
He was accused of luring Benavidez to a basketball court after becoming angry that Benavidez was contacting his sister and his girlfriend. Trujillo was armed with metallic knuckles with a built-in blade and stabbed Benavidez in the throat.
Benavidez died in the arms of his mother, who had gone to the park looking for him.
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