Man Accepts Plea Bargain for Attempted Murder

Tonight, San Ignacio resident Gerson Guerra is a free man after accepting a plea deal. Guerra was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and use of deadly means of harm after wounding his then, partner, Zuemy Tzalam on her throat with a knife. Reports are that on February twenty-fourth, 2020, Guerra entered the home of Tzalam with the key he was in possession of and engaged in an altercation with Tzalam, resulting in him pushing and wounding her. Guerra avoided a prison sentence after taking a plea deal negotiated under the new legislation in the Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion and Agreement) Act. Under this bargain, Guerra was sentenced to pay the court a fine of one thousand five hundred dollars over the course of twelve months and two thousand dollars to be paid to the victim over a two-year period. Additionally, Guerra will undergo five anger management sessions within the next twelve months. Attorney Erin Quiros represented Guerra. 

 

Erin Quiros, Attorney at Law

“So he was accused with attempted murder and deadly means of harm. And with the passing of the act, he was able to plead to the lesser charge and fortunately, we were also able to agree. The prosecution and I were able to agree to a non-custodial sentence given the circumstances, given his circumstances. A lot of factors were taken into consideration. The fact that he has gainful employment, he has a daughter that he is currently maintaining, that was a major factor for the court. So he’s been ordered to pay a fine and been ordered to go to anger management courses. And of course, in the fault of that, he would suffer incarceration. But yeah, that is what it has.”

 

Reporter

“So the fine was fifteen hundred and also two thousand ordered compensation to the victim. Is this in line with other cases that have been decided along these lines?”

 

Erin Quiros

“Yes, it is. This is not an unusual order of the court. There have been circumstances prior to this, where a court has ordered a fine not only to the government, but also to the victims, right? So this is not something unusual. It just opens the door in relation to pleading to lesser offenses and coming to that agreement. Instead of going through a lengthy trial, the parties are able to do that and save time and save court resources.”

 

Reporter

“The judge mentioned that there is a level of prevalence to this kind of crime. As an attorney, I’m sure you’re exposed to that sort of thing. Do you think the fine for the particular situation was adequate?”

 

Erin Quiros

“I believe that it was. I believe that it was. I remember this is not something that the accused proposed. It was something that was agreed along with the prosecution. And we both were of the opinion that this was an adequate sentence and the court agreed.”