A 34-year-old convicted felon named Vicente David Romero has been found guilty of second-degree murder in Riverside County’s first fentanyl murder case to go before a jury. The defendant was also convicted of other charges, including possession of controlled substances while armed, being a felon in possession of a loaded gun, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The convictions stem from the 2020 death of 26-year-old Kelsey King.
The ruling in this case represents a significant milestone for the state of California, as it marks the first-ever guilty verdict by a jury in a fentanyl-related homicide trial. District Attorney Mike Hestrin expressed satisfaction, stating that the verdict not only upholds the law in a fentanyl-related murder case, but it also establishes a precedent for future cases. He emphasized the commitment to protecting communities and holding accountable those involved in the distribution of illicit fentanyl that leads to fatalities.
After the trial, Vicente David Romero, who is currently being held without bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, is set to be sentenced on October 6. He faces a potential sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.
The trial concluded after closing statements from the prosecution and defense, after which the jury deliberated for an extended period. This trial was notable as it was the first murder case involving fentanyl to go before a jury in Riverside County.
According to the prosecution’s case, Vicente David Romero and Kelsey King were acquaintances who both sought to get high on drugs. On the day of the incident, Romero had multiple fentanyl-laced M-30 pills in his possession. The two met in Temecula and consumed the pills, resulting in Romero eventually passing out. When he regained consciousness, he found King unconscious and unresponsive. Paramedics were called to the scene, but unfortunately, King was pronounced dead.
During an interview with detectives, Romero admitted to giving King the pills and acknowledged responsibility for her death. The autopsy report revealed that her cause of death was a combination of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.
Prior to this case, Vicente David Romero had previous convictions for assault, unlawful intercourse with a minor, and burglary, further highlighting his criminal history.
The prevalence of fentanyl-related deaths has been increasing in Riverside County and across the country. In 2022, there were 503 confirmed fentanyl-related fatalities in the county, a significant increase from previous years. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is often manufactured in foreign labs and smuggled across borders. It is highly potent and can be mixed with various illicit substances, making it extremely dangerous for users. The statistics show that fentanyl is currently the leading cause of death for young adults in America.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
