Denver, CO – A Denver jury has handed down a conviction for Remi Cordova, a teen implicated in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Pamela Cabriales. Cordova, who was 14 at the time of the incident, was found guilty of second-degree murder, showing extreme indifference, and attempted murder.
The verdict stems from a tragic event on February 20, 2021, when Cabriales was fatally shot in her vehicle on Colfax Avenue near Interstate 25 following a minor car accident. According to authorities, Cordova exited his vehicle post-collision and unleashed a barrage of bullets from a high-powered rifle towards Cabriales, a real estate agent and mother of a 6-year-old son, who was returning home from dinner with a friend.
The attack claimed Cabriales’ life a few days after the shooting, leaving behind a grief-stricken family. Her brother, Alex Cabriales, expressed profound disappointment in the lack of remorse displayed, describing the killing as “senseless” and “evil.”
Cabriales’ family has been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the judicial system, particularly concerning the way earlier cases involving Cordova were handled. They argue that more stringent judicial measures could have prevented Pamela’s death. “If the judge hadn’t repeatedly let him go free on previous aggravated assault charges, my sister might still be here with us,” Alex Cabriales remarked. The family suggests legislative changes to hold judges accountable in similar cases.
This case also connected deeply with another family tragedy. The Cabriales family had previously endured the loss of Pam and Alex’s younger brother, Noel Cabriales, who was killed in 1994 in Denver at age 15 due to a seemingly trivial dispute.
The jury originally faced the decision of adjudicating first-degree murder but instead convicted on the lesser charge of second-degree murder. This decision highlights the complexities often faced in juvenile criminal cases, especially when the accused are tried as adults.
In related proceedings, driver Neshan Johnson, who was accused of encouraging Cordova during the crime, faced his own legal battles. The court, siding with the victim’s family and against a proposed plea deal, sentenced Johnson to 35 years in prison followed by 14 years on parole.
Denver District Attorney Beth McCann expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, acknowledging the verdict as a semblance of justice for those impacted by this tragedy. “This verdict, though it cannot undo the pain caused, stands as recognition of the irreversible harm Cordova inflicted upon Ms. Cabriales and her family,” McCann stated.
Sentencing for Cordova is set for December 12, where he faces a wide range of possible imprisonment terms, potentially extending to life, tempered by credit for time already served.
As the community reflects on this case, it underscores ongoing concerns about youth violence and the capacity of the legal system to effectively manage young offenders while balancing the scales of justice for victims and their families. The repercussions of this case will likely resonate as discussions about legal reforms and judicial accountability continue.