GRAND JUNCTION—A Mesa County prosecutor is allowing a Grand Junction teen to change his plea agreement so that he’ll be eligible for a youth-corrections sentence.
Seventeen-year-old Erick Deleon was charged as an adult last year with attempted first-degree murder for acting with another teen to shoot 18-year-old Martin Martinez in the face.
Martinez lost sight in one eye and suffered some hearing loss as a result of the shooting.
Deleon pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder in November, but has now pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder. Because of his age, the lesser charge will make him eligible for participation in the Colorado Department of Corrections’ Youth Offender System.
Deleon, and 15-year-old Thomas English, will be sentenced April 14th.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,



