2 tied to Quincy murder sentenced

EPHRATA - Two men tied to the September 2011 murder of Ramiro Munoz Jr. will be going to prison.

Eddie Alvarez Hernandez, 22, and Erwin Vazquez, 21, both of Quincy, were each sentenced to eight years in prison for their roles in Munoz's death. Munoz was a 40-year-old Quincy father of seven children.

Both defendants entered an Alford plea in May. An Alford plea means that the defendants do not believe they committed the crimes they are accused of, but believe that a jury would find them guilty.

Alvarez Hernandez pled guilty of rendering criminal assistance as well as tampering with a witness. Vazquez also pled guilty to rendering criminal assistance and another criminal case of first-degree unlawful position of a firearm that was not connected to the murder.

Deputy prosecutor Kevin McCrae and defense attorney Robert Kenter gave a joint recommendation of six years and five months, the high-end of the standard range, for each case against Vazquez.

Alvarez Hernandez's guilty plea carried a gang aggravator, which allowed for Grant County Superior Court Judge John Knodell to exceed the recommended five years and five months.

McCrae said the plea agreements were due to possible evidentiary issues in the prosecution.

Kentner and fellow defense attorney Rafael Gonzales tried to explain to Knodell that since neither of their clients were the shooter the judge should take that into consideration when making his sentence.

After a brief recess the victim's family members were able to address the court.

Munoz's mother, Ramona Medina, was the first to speak and was visibly emotional.

"They have destroyed our lives," she said.

Raquel Munoz, the widow of Ramiro Munoz, also spoke.

"September 23 was the most devastating day of my life, " she said.

Raquel Munoz also said her family continued to receive threats since Ramiro Munoz's death.

"Just leave us alone," she said. "That's all we want."

After Raquel Munoz finished speaking the victim's nephew, Mauricio Pamiagua, said a few words.

"It's not fair that I get to spend, and my family, all our lives suffering and thinking about the days that he's gone," he said.

Finally, Ramiro Munoz's younger brother, Guadalupe Munoz, gave the defendants some advice. Guadalupe Munoz explained he was a former gang member who was incarcerated when his brother was murdered. He advised both defendants to try and become religious while they are in prison.

When Alvarez Hernandez was allowed to speak he apologized to the Munoz family and asked Raquel Munoz if when he is released from prison he can help her with gang activism.

Vazquez read from a prepared speech and was visibly upset.

"I've been longing and wish I could help your family in some sort of way," he said. "I spend restless nights up thinking and praying to God to give me the strength to stand before you and try to bring your family comfort."

The person who allegedly shot and killed Ramiro Munoz, 20-year-old Gerardo Valenzuela Navaro, was sentenced to 18 years and four months in prison after pleading guilty in March.

According to the police report, Vazquez reportedly confronted Ramiro Munoz and asked him why he hadn't been hanging out with the gang recently.

Vazquez then reportedly ran away. Ramiro Munoz and a few others followed him to make sure he left, according to court documents.

While the men followed Vazquez, Valenzuela Navarro and Alvarez Hernandez allegedly came out of a nearby house.

Accoring to court documents, Valenzuela Navarro fired two or three shots at the men.

Ramiro Munoz reportedly told Valenzuela Navarro to stop shooting because their were children nearby at a family reunion.

Valenzueal Navarro allegedly fire one more shot, killing him.