Man Gets Life In Prison In Las Cruces Killing

A Las Cruces man convicted in the shooting death of another man was sentenced life in prison Thursday.

Moises Menchaca, 27, was convicted of shooting and killing 36-year-old William Lucero after a fight at house party Sept. 8, 2007.

The jury deliberated for 35 minutes before returning a guilty verdict. Menchaca was given a life sentence, plus 21 years for other charges.

According to court documents, Menchaca got into a fight with another man at a party and was knocked down. Menchaca left the party, but returned and fired several shots into the home. Three people were wounded.

Lucero was hit in the chest and neck and died at Thomason Hospital.

The case will be automatically appealed to the New Mexico Supreme Court because it involves a life sentence. Menchaca will have to serve 51 years in prison before he’s eligible for parole.