Death Penalty Considered for Men Accused of Shooting Teen

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Prosecutors are considering seeking the death penalty against two Buhl men accused of killing a high school student last year.

The Times-News reports that 19-year-old Gerardo Raul Chavez and 20-year-old Jose Daniel Alvarez pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to felony counts of murder and intimidating a witness. The pair is accused of the May 7 drive-by shooting of 15-year-old Vason Lee Widaman.

Prosecutor Grant Loebs has 60 days to decide whether or not he will seek capital punishment for the two men.

During Wednesday's hearing, attorneys said a trial for the men will likely begin July 11. They each face up to life in prison for the charges against them if Loebs does not seek the death penalty.

Filed Under: Crime, death penalty, teen, Twin Falls, Vason Lee Widaman

Categories: Twin Falls News