There will be no trial for Antonio Pelaez-Vasquez now that, as part of a plea bargain, he has admitted killing a well-known Hispanic community activist.
Pelaez-Vasquez, 56, has pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder and is scheduled to be sentenced May 3 by 4th District Judge Samuel McVey. Pelaez-Vasquez faces a potential prison sentence of up to life behind bars.
The plea bargain comes on the heels of another plea agreement involving Pelaez-Vasquez's son, Cunny Antonio Pelaez, 20, who in March pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and was sentenced to six years to life in prison.
Both father and son, who are in the United States illegally from Mexico, were charged in connection with the shooting death of Aniceto Armendariz, 42, who was killed while driving on U.S. 40 as he and his wife, Alma, were returning from Mass on Sept. 25, 2005. Alma Armendariz was injured but survived the incident.
Police said Pelaez-Vasquez and Pelaez drove up alongside the vehicle carrying the couple and Aniceto Armendariz was shot in the head and neck.
Armendariz, who was in the U.S. legally with his family, was a deacon in the Catholic Church, ran a successful bilingual driving school and took part in many community improvement activities, especially those guiding young people away from delinquent behavior and drug use. He and his wife also were outreach workers for Holy Cross Ministries.
No motive has been established for the slaying, although Wasatch County Attorney Thomas Low has suggested that Pelaez-Vasquez and Pelaez were jealous of Armendariz's accomplishments and the respect he received in the community.
As part of Pelaez-Vasquez's plea bargain, charges of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and possession of a controlled substance were dismissed.
E-mail: lindat@desnews.com