Slaying in parking lot results in prison term

A 31-year-old man who killed another man during a dispute over a parking spot was sentenced Wednesday to a prison term of one to eight years.

Kureem Jabbar Glenn made an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Sergio Rosales-Cuello, 22, in a drug treatment center parking lot Feb. 21.

An Alford plea is not an admission of guilt but an acknowledgement that prosecutors have enough evidence to prove their charge.

Glenn, who has three previous drug-related convictions, said he took the plea to be eligible for parole after one year. "Even though I didn't do it," he said.

"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Glenn added.

District Judge David Wall followed the recommendation included in a plea agreement worked out by Glenn; his defense attorney, Frank Kocka; and prosecutors.

That deal was reached after the prosecution's key witness, and the only eyewitness to identify Glenn as the shooter, went into labor in the courthouse.

During direct examination she identified Glenn as the perpetrator, but when her water broke outside the courtroom during a break, paramedics arrived and transported her to the hospital.

Kocka was unable to cross-examine her because attorneys couldn't find her the next day.

The slaying occurred at Choices Group Inc. at 800 S. Valley View Blvd., near Charleston Boulevard.

Prosecutors said Glenn shot Rosales-Cuello in the back.

"The victim was clearly fleeing," prosecutor Jay P. Raman said.

But Kocka said Glenn was defending himself and had been fighting for his life.