x
Breaking News
More () »

Man sentenced to 16 years for Wheat Ridge killing

Jonathan Montoya was one of four people arrested in connection with the 2019 death of Evan Spahitch.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — One of four people arrested in connection with the 2019 death of a Wheat Ridge man was sentenced Friday to 16 years in the Department of Corrections (DOC), according to the First Judicial District Attorney's office.

Jonathan Montoya pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges including aggravated robbery on June 26, 2021.

He was arrested in January 2020, about a year after Ervin Spahitch, 23, was murdered. 

On Jan. 26, 2019, Wheat Ridge police (WRPD) officers responded to a report of shots fired on the 3200 block of Gray Street and found Spahitch non-responsive and bleeding inside a Toyota Prius.

RELATED: Barry Morphew out on bail, arrest affidavit released in murder case

The Prius' engine was still running, there were apparent bullet holes in the car and there were shell casings on the ground near the car, according to arrest affidavits.

Spahitch was pronounced dead at the scene.

Montoya was and two of the other suspects were juveniles at the time of the killing.

Marissa Lawrence, Jalen Isiah Wilson, and Christian Salas were the others arrested and charged in the case.

Credit: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
[L to R] Marissa Lawrence, Jonathan Joseph Montoya, Jalen Isiah Wilson, Christian Salas.

Lawrence pleaded guilty on Dec. 2, 2020, to first-degree murder and aggravated robbery, according to court records.

Salas pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated robbery on Feb. 2, 2021.

RELATED: 4th suspect in Wheat Ridge man's murder turns herself in

Wilson is set to be sentenced on Sept. 23 after pleading guilty on May 5, 2021, to first-degree murder and aggravated robbery.

SUGGESTED VIDEOSLatest from 9NEWS

MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS 

Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER for top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.   

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n  

HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE 

ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA. 

For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9NEWS" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out