Guajardo Sentenced In Cheyenne Murder Case
A man who pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend and the wounding of a Cheyenne man has been sentenced to two consecutive 45 year to life sentences.
A third consecutive sentence of 7-9 years was also ordered in connection with a jailhouse assault on another inmate at the Laramie County jail on July 22, 2015.
District Court Judge Catherine Rogers handed down the sentence Friday to Daniel Guajardo in the killing of 26-year-old Janessa Spencer of Cheyenne on April 12, 2015. Spencer's 24-year-old boyfriend at the time, Sam Cook of Cheyenne, was shot in the incident at Spencer's home but survived.
Guajardo was originally charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, but those charges were reduced in December as part of a plea agreement.
The 28-year-old Guajardo admitted to the shootings as part of the plea agreement. After pleading to the lesser charges Guajardo could have been sentenced to anything between 20 years in prison and life on both counts.
Friday's hearing in Laramie County District Court featured impact statements from Janessa Spencer's close friends and family members.
While several people declined to give a statement in court, Spencer's mother, her voice choked with tears, look directly at Guajardo and asked "How could you do this? How could you take her from us? We were good to you."
Spencer's sister told the court she believed Guajardo would have killed he and Spencer's children had they been present.
Several of those giving impact statements asked that Guajardo be sentenced to life in prison, citing concerns that he might kill again if he is ever released from prison.