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Updated: 1:42 PM- Three defendants in the recent slaying of a 7-year-old Glendale girl made their first appearance in court on Thursday via closed-circuit from the Salt Lake County jail.
Frank Puga Benavidez, 20, and 16-year-old Gabriel Alejandro Alvarez are charged with the July 6 drive-by shooting death of Maria Menchaca, who had been playing outside her home near 800 W., 1100 South in Salt Lake City.
Benavidez and Alvarez - who was charged as an adult - were charged with aggravated murder under a 2007 law that made it a potential death-penalty offense to kill a child under the age of 14. Prosecutors also say the shooting created a risk of death to persons other than the victim. Both are also charged with obstructing justice.
Alvarez is ineligible for execution because he is under the age of 18, but he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
A third defendant, 16-year-old Mae Goodman Johnson, was charged as an adult with first-degree felony counts of murder and obstructing justice.
Johnson had given the gun to Alvarez, the alleged triggerman, and was in the black SUV driven by Benavidez when the shooting occurred, according to charging documents.
A fourth passenger, also a juvenile, has not been charged with a crime and was released from police custody.
Police have said they think the girl was shot as part of gang-related dispute.
Charging documents claim that earlier on the day of the shooting, Benavidez and Johnson had exited the SUV and Benavidez shouted death threats and Johnson shouted obscenities at Mari's 20-year-old cousin, Luis Menchaca, according to charging documents.
When the SUV returned, Luis Menchaca, Maria and another child were on the street in front of the Menchaca home, according to charging documents.
Luis Menchaca told police that he noticed a back seat passenger holding a gun and wearing a blue bandana over his face. He shouted, "Run," and heard a gunshot. The SUV drove off and Luis Menchaca noticed the child had been shot, according to charging documents.
The four in the car then drove the black sport utility vehicle to a fellow gang member's house to stash the gun, according to charges.
Alvarez later told police that Benavidez planned the "drive-by", and that Johnson was "all for it," because "she was tired of being disrespected," according to charging documents.
During Thursday's court hearing, 3rd District Judge Joseph Fratto appointed public defenders for the three defendants, who are all being held in lieu of $1 million bail. The three are to appear in court again for a July 28 scheduling hearing.
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