At least 15 shots were fired Nov. 29 between three men and the father of 10-year-old Auralia Cisneros, who was killed by one of the bullets as she clutched a baggie of marijuana in her pocket, detectives testified Tuesday in Denver County Court.
The firefight erupted when the trio — Joshua Rojas, Trivi Trujillo and Juvencio Hernandez — went to the home of Auralia’s father, Leo Cisneros, intending to steal the large quantity of marijuana he kept at his residence.
When Leo Cisernos’ brother, Louis, opened the door to the home, one of the men stuck a gun in Louis’ face. He slammed the door, but the men kicked it in and opened fire.
Leo Cisneros returned fire, shooting at least 10 rounds, one of which struck his daughter in the head, said Denver Detective Michael Martinez.
In the home, said Detective Bruce Gibbs, were a total of 23 “bullet strikes” in walls, the kitchen counter and the front door.
“There were bullet strikes everywhere in the home,” said Gibbs.
After hearing four hours of testimony from the two detectives, Denver County Judge Andrew Armatas ordered Rojas, Trujillo and Manuel Talamantes to stand trial on charges of felony murder and attempted aggravated robbery. Bond was set at $750,000 each.
Hernandez’s preliminary hearing will be later. Although Talamantes wasn’t involved in the shooting, prosecutor Victoria Sharp alleged he was involved in planning to steal the marijuana.
Inside the home, said Gibbs, were copious amounts of marijuana — including some in a tray in the living room and 16 bags in a bedroom — $1,145 in cash and drug paraphernalia.
Late last month, Leo Cisneros was ordered to stand trial on a charge of child abuse resulting in death.
Although prosecutors and police say the three men did not fire the fatal shot, they can be charged with felony murder under Colorado law.
Lawyers for the defendants argued Tuesday that the case is based solely on the testimony of two people who can’t be trusted.
The two — Michael Bernard and Christal Aragon — fled to New Mexico after the shooting. When Denver detectives interviewed them in Albuquerque, they said they had driven to the scene with the others but had stayed in the car.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
