Red Line Fatal Robbery: 2nd Man Pleads Guilty In Denver Shooting

DENVER, CO -- After an alleged accomplice, who pleaded guilty last year, was scheduled to testify against him, a man accused of a 2017 fatal robbery near an RTD rail line station pleaded guilty Friday.

Nathan Valdez, 20, pleaded guilty to added counts of second-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping, in addition to aggravated robbery. He faces a prison sentence of 58 years, according to a statement from the District Attorney's office.

Valdez was one of two men accused of robbing victim Tim Cruz at gunpoint around 1 a.m. Feb. 7, 2017, near the RTD Light Rain Station at 12th and Sheridan. Cruz was shot during the incident and died, a press release said.

A jury trial for Valdez had been set to begin Feb. 26.

Valdez's alleged partner in the crime, Ever Valles, 21, pleaded guilty last November to one of the original counts of aggravated robbery and an added count of accessory to murder. As part of the plea, Valles was expected to testify against co-defendant Valdez. Valles faces a stipulated prison sentence of 16-32 years.

Valles and Valdez are scheduled to be sentenced on March 9, 2018.

Image L-R Ever Valles, Nathan Valdez via Denver District Attorney