This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A 28-year-old man accused of killing two men — including his uncle — at a Sandy garage pleaded guilty Friday to reduced charges of manslaughter.
Alexander Leroy Vasquez, of Midvale, was initially charged with felony counts of murder, aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping, felony discharge of a firearm with injury, and two counts of buying, transferring or possessing a firearm by a restricted person. More than four years after slayings, he pleaded guilty to two charges of manslaughter — one with a dangerous weapon enhancement — and one felony discharge of a firearm. The three charges, filed in 3rd District Court, are all second-degree felonies with prison sentences ranging from one to 20 years.
At a 2013 preliminary hearing, witnesses testified that Vasquez held several people, including Paul Giovale, Cindy James and his uncle, Simon Vasquez, at gunpoint on Aug. 5, 2012, in the garage of a home near 100 E. 8600 South.
At some point, charges state and witnesses testified, Giovale pulled out a gun and Alexander Vasquez returned fire. Cindy James and Simon Vasquez were hit in the crossfire.
Giovale died at the scene. Simon Vasquez was transported to a hospital, where he died nine days later. James was also injured but recovered.
No motive for the shootout was given in charging documents, though testimony pointed to a possible conflict over an alleged stolen car containing drugs.
Court records show Vasquez was previously convicted in 2007 for unlawful possession of a vehicle and escape from custody. He was in prison from 2008 to January 2012, when he was paroled.
Vasquez' sentencing is set for October 3. He is being held at the Utah State Prison in Draper.
ctanner@sltrib.com Twitter: @CourtneyLTanner