A Colorado Man Was on Parole for Murder. It Took About Six Months for Him to Execute Another Man.

A man was on parole for murder when he decided to kill again. Now, he must spend the rest of his life behind bars.

A judge in Colorado sentenced Joseph Gonzales, 34, to life in prison. He was convicted of killing Abdul Nigel Jefferies. A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, according to the Weld County District Attorney’s Office.

On Sept. 18, 2020, police in Weld County, Colorado, responded to a report of a shooting at the Rodeway Inn motel. The shooting was reported around 4 a.m.

When officers arrived, they found Jefferies’ body on a second-story balcony outside of one of the rooms.

He was shot several times, including twice in the head.

“The victim did not deserve this,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia told the judge, according to the district’ attorney’s office. “This was an execution and a horrific way to die.”

When police responded to the scene, they detained a man with blood on his clothing, according to the Greenly Tribune. He told police he went to visit another man at the hotel. His friend was with Gonzales and they planned to assault Jefferies.

The man claimed he was threatened when he tried to leave.

The three went to another room where Jefferies’ girlfriend said the victim would be right back. Video footage showed the trio walking upstairs as Gonzales walked up to Jefferies. He then fired shots and continued to shoot as the victim fled.

When Jefferies fell, Gonzales shot twice more, according to the Tribune.

At the time of the shooting, Gonzales was on parole after being convicted of second-degree murder in 2012. He served eight years of a 13 year sentence, according to reports. He was released about six months before killing Jefferies.

“This is exactly the reason why a life sentence is appropriate,” Pirraglia said. “He took a life, and now it’s time for him to give his so he doesn’t have an opportunity to take any more.”