Peninsula Murder Update: Man Gets 40 Years To Life

HALF MOON BAY, CA — A man convicted of second-degree murder in connection with a fatal 2015 shooting in Half Moon Bay was sentenced to 40-years-to-life in prison Thursday in San Mateo County Superior Court.

Armando Carranza, 37, and co-defendant Abraham Ramirez Arroyo, 21, summoned 21-year-old Felix Garduno-Vega out to the front yard during a house party in Half Moon Bay on Aug. 29, 2015. After an argument, Arroyo fatally shot Garduno-Vega. The defendants, who are both gang members according to prosecutors, fled the scene in Carranza's vehicle.

Carranza turned himself in days later on Sept. 1, while Arroyo was arrested after a police pursuit in Visalia on Sept. 8.

Carranza was found guilty of second-degree murder and using a firearm on Feb. 27, after a 37-day trial. He was sentenced to 15-years-to-life in prison for the murder charge and an additional 25-years-to-life for the firearm enhancement.

Even with 599 days credit for time already served, Carranza will be roughly 75 years old before he's eligible for parole hearings, according to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

"It's important to note that the DA conceded from the beginning that Carranza was not the shooter," Defense attorney John May said this afternoon. "From my point of view, Carranza was not a participant in the
killing."

May said Carranza's 40-year sentence may border on cruel and unusual punishment, and Carranza plans to file an appeal.

"I'm just hoping that the appellate court sees past what the jury decided and has a different finding," May said.

Arroyo was found guilty of first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement and felony evasion. He's scheduled to return to court for sentencing at 9 a.m., June 8.

— Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock