A court in New Mexico fell silent when 16-year-old Diego Leyva tearfully heard him receive a sentencing for having killed his family in a violent attack. The teenager, who was charged with four first-degree murder, will spend many years in prison, a fact that overwhelmed him when the judge handed down the ruling.
The incident took place in December 14, 2024, at Belen, in New Mexico, at Leyva’s family home. Under a state of inebriation, early in the morning, Leyva shot and killed both of his minor brothers, Adrian Leyva (16 years and 14 years, respectively, in age), and both of his parents, Leonardo Leyva (42 years and 35 years, respectively, in age).
Leyva contacted 911 at 3:30 a.m. and confessed to a dispatch whose report characterizes him with a remorseful and slurred voice. Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office in Valencia County, arriving at the scene, encountered Leyva in front, with hands in a surrender position. In the dwelling, a handgun resting on a counter in a kitchen and four victim corpses were discovered by authorities.
Leyva appeared composed in court, but when the judge handed down his long sentence, reality struck him, and in court, he cried. How grave his offences and that for a long time, he would have to languish in prison became too much for him to bear.
While New Mexico law typically treats minors differently from adults in criminal proceedings, Leyva was tried as an adult due to the severity of his crimes. His legal team argued for leniency, citing his age and intoxication at the time of the murders, but the prosecution countered with the sheer brutality of the killings, emphasizing the tragic loss of an entire family.
Leyva’s case draws parallels to another recent incident involving teenage violence. In Gastonia, North Carolina, 16-year-old Sean Simpson was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of another teenager, Zaquavious Dawkins. Simpson, who was also charged with attempted first-degree murder for injuring another victim, collapsed in court upon learning he would not be granted bail. His case is one of the first under a new North Carolina law that allows 16- and 17-year-olds to be charged as adults for certain violent crimes.
The growing trend of trying teenagers as adults raises ongoing debates about justice, rehabilitation, and the long-term consequences of juvenile incarceration.
The murders have shaken the tight-knit community of Belen, leaving neighbors and extended family members struggling to comprehend the tragedy. Friends of the victims, including classmates of Adrian and Alexander, expressed their sorrow and disbelief over the loss. Legal experts have weighed in, questioning whether Leyva’s age and intoxicated state should have been factors in sentencing.
As the investigation continues, authorities are still searching for an exact motive. Was this a result of underlying mental health issues? Substance abuse? A moment of rage? Experts in juvenile psychology stress the importance of recognizing warning signs in troubled teens, emphasizing the need for early intervention before tragedy strikes.
