Teen Killer Is Sentenced In Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES – A teenager who admitted to killing his girlfriend was sentenced today in a Las Cruces courtroom.

David Garcia, 19, was given a 28-year prison sentence for the murder of Ashley Wax. Garcia faced a maximum penalty of 29-and-a-half years behind bars.He will have to serve 29 years before he is eligible for parole.

The shooting happened in February of 2005. Authorities said Garcia admitted to shooting Wax in the driveway of her home, just days after the two had severed a romantic relationship with each other.

Garcia initially pleaded not guilty to the crime, but changed his plea earlier in the year. He had faced a life in prison term had he been convicted in court.

The judge delayed the punishment phase for Garcia in September, saying he needed more time to evaluate Garcia before imposing a sentence.