A teenager pleaded guilty in Adams County court on Thursday to second-degree murder in the early 2014 stabbing death of an 18-year-old man in a Thornton park.
Matthew James Trujillo was 17 when he stabbed Anthony Benavidez to death in a January 2014 fight. Trujillo was angry at Benavidez over him having contact with his sister and girlfriend.
Trujillo was wearing metallic knuckles with a built-in blade when he stabbed Benavidez in the throat, killing him, according to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Trujillo . Under a plea agreement, that charge was dropped to second-degree murder and the teen now faces 16 to 48 years in prison, the office said.
Trujillo is set to be sentenced on March 12.
Trujillo’s father, Brian Carl Trujillo, 40, has also been charged in the fatal stabbing. He faces allegations of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, tampering with evidence and accessory to a crime.
Brian Trujillo is set to be arraigned on Feb. 4, the office said.
The stabbing happened on Jan. 4, 2014 near Grand View Ponds Open Space.
Matthew Trujillo earlier pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul
