Husband sentenced for slaying

A 35-year-old man convicted of fatally shooting his wife in August 2008 was sentenced Thursday to life in prison.

Mauricio Melendez was convicted in July of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon in the death of Chennel Melendez, 33.

Las Vegas police were called on Aug. 7, 2008, to the Melendez apartment near Maryland Parkway and Tropicana Avenue. When they arrived, they found Chennel Melendez on a couch with a bullet wound to her head.

Mauricio Melendez told investigators that he and his wife were drunk and that he was showing her how to use his .357-caliber handgun. He told police he remembered hearing a gunshot but did not know how it happened.

Investigators later learned from one of Mauricio Melendez's co-workers that he had said he wanted to kill his wife, according to court documents.

Judge Donald Mosley sentenced Mauricio Melendez to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 20 years for the first-degree murder conviction.

A consecutive sentence of 20 years with eligibility for parole after eight years was added for the use of a deadly weapon enhancement.

Mauricio Melendez was given credit for the year he has spent in prison, meaning he could be eligible for parole in 27 years.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.