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Ogden • When Ruben Alvarado Nava III shot a bullet through 23-year-old Mario Saucedo's chest two years ago, two families were destroyed in an instant.
Deputy Weber County Attorney Gage Arnold told a judge during a sentencing hearing for Nava on Tuesday that the 42-year-old man not only shattered the lives of Saucedo's family, but Nava's own family suffered, as well.
"In the end, this is a tragic case for both families," the prosecutor told 2nd District Judge Noel Hyde as he asked for a prison sentence for Nava.
During Tuesday's sentencing hearing — exactly two years after Nava shot and killed Saucedo at a Roy house party on Sept. 8, 2013 — Ramona Saucedo sobbed as she spoke of her own depression and struggles she has faced since her son was killed. She said her son was looking forward to being a father when he died — but never met his unborn child.
"Mario's life was cut short at the young age of 23," she said. "… I do not think the jury was given all the facts of what happened the night Ruben Nava ended my son's life."
Nava was originally charged with first-degree felony murder, along with one count each of third-degree felony use of a firearm by a restricted person and illegal discharge of a weapon.
But a jury in June convicted Nava of a lesser count of second-degree felony manslaughter, finding that the defendant "incorrectly believed" he acted in self-defense that night. Nava was also convicted of use of a firearm by a restricted person.
On Tuesday, Hyde handed down the maximum sentence: one to 15 years in prison for manslaughter and zero to five years for the firearm conviction.
The judge ordered that the sentences run consecutive to one another, but said Nava will get credit for the nearly two years he has spent in jail in connection with the case.
When Nava was given a chance to speak at his sentencing, he said only a few words: "Just that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what happened that night."
Defense attorney Jonathan Hanks had asked the judge to sentence his client to more jail time and probation, stressing that the jury found him guilty of lesser charges and that Saucedo may hold some of the blame for instigating the situation.
"We do not believe prison would be an appropriate sentence," he said.
But Arnold argued that prison was best, due to Nava's previous criminal history and the severity of the crime.
"The legislature has found that this type of a crime is a crime you should go to prison for," Arnold said. "If you end someone's life, this is a prison-type act."
At trial, Hanks had asked the jurors to acquit Nava of the murder charge, telling them during closing arguments that Saucedo and his friends started "gang talk" and were trying to start a confrontation at the party.
Prosecutors said some of the witnesses claimed the deadly fight was started over who had paid for the beer being consumed at the house, near 2950 W. 4650 South. But others reported that it was over Saucedo's ties to the Ogden Trece street gang, and Nava's association with the Southern California Surenos subset El Monte Flores, according to trial testimony.
Deputy Weber County Attorney Benjamin Willoughby told jurors that the party went on for hours, with partygoers having a "good time." But as the night wore on, tempers began to flare and people spilled out onto the street just after midnight.
"It was a big old-fashioned fist fight," the prosecutor told jurors. "A lot of big guys out there fighting a lot of big guys. Punches are flying. Everybody is punching."
At some point, Nava pulled out a gun and fired several times. One bullet hit Saucedo in the chest, tearing though his heart.