近距离内射合集

A man was found guilty Thursday of firing gunshots through the door of a Southeast Albuquerque apartment in 2024, killing a woman inside.

Jurors deliberated less than three hours before convicting Houston Coate, 33, of first-degree felony murder in the Aug. 29, 2024, shooting death of 33-year-old Barbara "Barbie" Chavez.

The verdict came on the fourth day of Coate's trial in 2nd Judicial District Court before Judge Courtney Weaks. The first-degree murder charge requires Coate to serve at least 30 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. His sentencing hearing is scheduled May 28.

Coate's attorney, Keren Fenderson, told jurors Thursday that someone other than Coate fired the fatal shots, arguing that prosecutors offered no physical evidence or eyewitness testimony identifying Coate as the gunman.

"They have basically admitted that they have no proof and they have no evidence," Fenderson said in closing arguments. "They can't prove guilt, so they're simply casting doubt on his innocence."

The prosecution's case was complicated by the shooting death of a key witness just weeks after Chavez was killed.

Prosecutors argued that Coate fired at least five gunshots at the door of an apartment in the 1000 block of Valencia SE, near San Mateo and Gibson. Chavez was sitting on a couch talking on a cellphone when she was struck by three gunshots in the neck, chest and hand. Her phone was found nearby with a bullet hole through it.

Jurors viewed low-quality security video that showed the gunman outside the apartment wearing a bandana on his face, with tattoos on his right forearm. Prosecutors argued the tattoos resembled those on Coate's arm.

Bryce Stephens, who was inside the apartment at the time, made a 911 call minutes after Chavez was shot in which he identified the gunman as "Houston."

Stephens, 33, was found dead inside a vehicle that crashed on Oct. 3, 2024, at Wilson Park in the 6100 block of Anderson SE, Albuquerque police said in a statement. Police later determined that Stephens had been struck by a bullet before the crash. No arrests have been made in Stephens' killing, police said this week.

Deputy District Attorney Christine Jablonsky said in closing arguments that Stephens recognized Coate by the sound of his voice when Coate shouted through the door, demanding the return of possessions he believed were inside.

"Why is (Stephens) able to identify Houston as the offender? Because he knew him," Jablonsky told jurors. "Bryce knew Houston well enough to be able to introduce him to other people. You recognize the voice of people when you hear them talk."

Fenderson told jurors that Stephens had made the assumption that Coate fired the fatal gunshots.

"There's no evidence that Bryce Stephens knew Houston was at the door," Fenderson said. "He may believe that it's Houston Coate but that belief is not based on facts and evidence."