A Herndon, Virginia, man entered an Alford plea in the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy in March 2024.
Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said Ismael Cruz Delcid, now 20, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the death of a teenage acquaintance.
Cruz Delcid was sitting in a car in a parking lot on Coppermine Road on March 20, 2024, when he saw two teenagers he knew, according to prosecutors. He spoke with them, and when the conversation escalated, prosecutors said Cruz Delcid shot the teenage boy, later identified as Michai Malave, twice.
Malave was taken to the hospital, where he later died. The other teenager was not hurt in the shooting.
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid, at the time, described Malave as a 鈥渟tudent in good standing鈥� at Westfield High in Chantilly.
Prosecutors said Cruz Delcid then ran into the woods, where he got rid of the gun and his clothing, then took public transportation and a rideshare to his girlfriend’s home. He turned himself in to police the next day.
A grand jury in 2024 indicted Cruz Delcid on charges of murder, attempted murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. His trial in June resulted in a hung jury and the court declared a mistrial.
Damon Colbert, Cruz Delcid’s lawyer, told 91欧美激情 he has no comment on the case ahead of the sentencing hearing. He also specified that his client entered an Alford plea, which insists his innocence while acknowledging prosecutors have enough evidence for a conviction. It also waives his right to a trial by jury.
鈥淢y heart breaks for the victim鈥檚 family,鈥� Commonwealth’s Attorney Descano said in a statement. 鈥淗is parents deserved the chance to see him graduate high school and pursue his dreams. He had his whole life ahead of him, and I hope that this conviction allows everyone who knew him to continue healing from this terrible loss.鈥�
Cruz Delcid is expected to return to court Jan. 9 for sentencing and faces up to 10 years in prison.
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