PUEBLO, Colo.—A jury of six men and six women has begun deliberations in the case of a 17-year-old Pueblo boy charged with first-degree murder.
Jurors started deliberating Thursday in the case of Rico Sierra, who is accused in the shooting death of 42-year-old Mark Lucero. He was gunned down outside his home on Aug. 21, 2007.
Defense attorney Michael Emmons told jurors Monday that the teen was justified in the shooting because he was trying to save his father’s life. Lucero allegedly charged at the elder Sierra with a knife on the night of the shooting.
Emmons said Lucero had previously threatened the life of Sierra’s father, Joe Manuel Sierra.
The elder Sierra also faces first-degree murder charges in Lucero’s death.
Joe Manuel Sierra is scheduled for trial in January.
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Information from: The Pueblo Chieftain,
