Rico Sierra Convicted Of Murder In Shooting Death

PUEBLO -A jury of six men and six women has convicted a Pueblo boy of second-degree murder in the shooting death of his father’s rival.

Jurors returned a guilty verdict Monday in the trial of 17-year-old Rico Sierra. He had been charged with first-degree murder in the Aug. 21, 2007 killing of 42-year-old Mark Lucero.

Lucero was gunned down outside his home, but defense attorney Michael Emmons told jurors the teen was justified in the shooting because he was trying to save his father’s life. Lucero allegedly charged at Joe Manuel Sierra with a knife on the night of the shooting.

The boy’s father also faces first-degree murder charges in Lucero’s death and is scheduled to stand trial in January.

Sentencing for Rico Sierra is set for Jan. 17.