‘Christmas will never be Christmas again’: Pueblo man sentenced in holiday murder
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – A Pueblo man has been found guilty of first-degree murder after investigators say he repeatedly struck another man with his truck on Christmas Day last year, killing him. On Monday, he was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, the Pueblo County District Attorney's Office said.
According to the 10th Judicial District Attorney's Office, on Nov. 14, Joseph Rodriguez was found guilty of first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence – charges tied to the death of Justin Lee Sapeda on Dec. 25, 2024.
Early on Christmas morning last year, Pueblo police were called to Himes Avenue after a report of an unconscious person lying on the sidewalk near the intersection with Acero Avenue. When officers arrived, they found a deceased man, later identified as 36-year-old Sapeda.
KRDO13 spoke with Justin Sapeda's sister on Christmas Day as police investigated the scene.
"What they did to my brother was wrong. He didn't deserve that," Ashley Sapeda said. "We should be waking up with these little girls, unwrapping presents. Instead, he's in a body bag."
As part of the investigation, police spoke with Rodriguez, who told officers he had known Sapeda since the 7th grade and the two were longtime friends.
Pueblo police then tracked down security camera footage of Sapeda and Rodriguez running into each other at a liquor store the day before the murder. According to arrest documents obtained by KRDO13, Sapeda asked if he could join in Rodriguez's Christmas Eve plans.
Rodriguez told police he and Sapeda drank and played video games together that night before Sapeda asked for a ride to his sister's house. Rodriguez agreed – and told police that was the last thing he remembered.
Arrest documents attempt to fill the gap, with Pueblo police reporting that Rodriguez broke into Sapeda's sister's home, hitting her chain link fence with his Ford F-150 before ultimately striking Sapeda. Prosecutors say Sapeda was hit multiple times by the truck, killing him.
Rodriguez was initially arrested on Dec. 31, 2024, six days after the murder. After a two-week trial and four hours of deliberation this month, a jury found Rodriguez guilty on all counts.
On Monday, Rodriguez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Additionally, the judge handed down an 18-month sentence for tampering with evidence.
"Today justice was served for my son Justin. He [Joseph Rodriguez] got life in prison without the possibility of parole. And a jury convicted him of first-degree murder. And the judge gave him that sentence. And it doesn't bring my son back. And he broke our family. But we will go on in memory of my son Justin, so that we will honor him forever," explained Justin Sapeda's father, Ray Sapeda.
Justin Sapeda's family's fight for justice came to a close Monday.
"At least it's over with, because it's been a long time, and my parents have been through a lot. And, he's done it once before, and you don't have to; he doesn't have the opportunity to get out and do it again," said Justin Sapeda's sister, Raeann Aragon.
Rodriguez was also previously convicted of vehicular homicide in 2011. Court records show he was arrested on July 5, 2010. The judge noted this case during Rodriguez's sentencing, saying she couldn't imagine being in his shoes and choosing to drink again, let alone get behind the wheel. The judge also said this is an incomprehensible tragedy for the Sapeda family.
"He was such a kind young man, you know, he was generous. And he just loved he loved his family. He did no drama and loved his family," explained Joette Sapeda, Justin Sapeda's mother, "His smile could brighten up the room you were in."
Family says he was a kind spirit who didn't deserve what was dished to him.
"He was funny. He didn't have any animosity with anybody. He had the funniest jokes," shared Raeann Aragon. "He was also a good dad. He was a good son, a good brother and a good friend. No one disliked him. This shouldn't have happened to him."
The Sapeda family could share all the great things about Justin all day long. Just speaking about his quick wit and kind heart brought a smile to their faces. The Sapeda family spoke about his outstanding cooking and love for music. They say he was a good man who did not deserve this.
"Christmas will never be Christmas again. His kids haven't even opened their Christmas presents from last year. They probably won't even celebrate Christmas. It's so bad. I mean, like my stepmom said, there's good days and bad days, but at the end of the day, like it's it's been horrible," explained Aragon.
During the victim impact statements, Sapeda's 16-year-old daughter spoke about how it hurts knowing her little 6-year-old sister will grow up with little to no memory of their father. During these statements, Rodriguez kept a straight face. Rodriguez's only emotion was a slight smile to his family on his way in and out of the courtroom.
Justin's mom says he is smiling down on them, proud that they fought for his justice.
"We've got to go on in his name and his honor, you know, he will always be smiling down. He is still with me. He's still with us. He's still with us in our hearts," explained Ray Sapeda.
District Attorney Kala Beauvais also attended the sentencing hearing.
“Justin Sapeda was a husband, father, and son, and did not deserve to die, particularly in this way, on
Christmas morning. This type of violent death and efforts to conceal crime will not be tolerated in the 10th Judicial District. The District Attorney's Office remains committed to seeking justice for all victims and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions,” wrote District Attorney Kala Beauvais.
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