Friend gets life in killing

His son, 19-year-old Nester Lee, was shot in the heart outside a party in August 2008. His killer, Eric Sandoval, was the victim’s close friend.

On Tuesday in District Court, Lee confronted Sandoval before the defendant was sentenced for the slaying. But he didn’t have harsh words for the 22-year-old who took his son’s life. Instead, he said he wanted Sandoval to seek salvation.

“I want him to ask God to forgive him,” Lee said. “I also ask God to help him forgive himself.”

“A lesson for all of us,” District Judge Michelle Leavitt said.

She sentenced Sandoval to spend life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 10 years. Sandoval, who wept after Lee spoke, apologized for the shooting.

“I’m sorry for what I did,” he said.

Sandoval earlier had pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

He was accused of fatally shooting Lee in August outside a party near Alexander Road and Durango Drive, even though Lee wasn’t the intended target.

He then fired a handgun into a crowded vehicle, wounding five people.

Deputy District Attorney Shanon Clowers said Sandoval had intended to kill someone the night of the shooting. He had brought a .40 caliber handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets to the party. There was an argument between two groups at the party.

“We believe he intended to kill one of the other five people, and Nester stepped in the way,” she said. One of the other victims is still in therapy, she said.

Sandoval, she said, was remorseful after the slaying and had no prior criminal convictions.

But Sandoval also fled the shooting scene afterward.

Sandoval’s attorney, Bill Terry, also told the judge that his client was sorry for the slaying. Immediately after he shot Lee, Sandoval said, “My bad, my bad.”

Terry said Sandoval fired into the vehicle because “emotions took control,” not rational thinking.

After his arrest, Sandoval was placed on suicide watch.

Hugo Lee told the judge his family was devastated after the slaying. He said it was especially hard during holidays such as Thanksgiving or Mother’s Day, when he would look over the dining room table and see an empty chair where his son once sat.

Earlier this year, Lee said, the family and friends memorialized Nester Lee’s 20th birthday at his son’s grave.

But he said he also wanted an end to the ordeal.

“I want my son to rest in peace,” he said.

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.