Justice Served: Teen Convicted in North Las Vegas Revenge Killing

The weight of a jury's decision fell heavily in a North Las Vegas courtroom recently as a teenage defendant, Gabriel Montes, was found guilty of murder with a deadly weapon. The verdict closes one chapter in a harrowing case that prosecutors painted as a calculated act of revenge, stemming from an earlier tragedy.

At just 17 years old at the time of the conviction, Montes stood accused of the April 2022 shooting death of 20-year-old Arturo Navarrete-Portillo.

The motive, chillingly clear to the prosecution, was retaliation for the December 2021 killing of Montes’ older brother, Daniel Montes. This tragic cycle of violence unfolded, leaving two families grappling with immense loss.

During the emotional trial before District Judge Christy Craig, Chief Deputy District Attorney Jory Scarborough meticulously laid out the state’s case.

Scarborough argued that Montes “hunted down” Navarrete-Portillo, pursuing him in a car driven by an accomplice before cornering him. Jose Zazueta, a friend who was with Navarrete-Portillo at the time of the shooting, provided crucial testimony, recounting the terrifying moments leading to his friend’s death.

The defense, led by attorney Robert Draskovich, countered with claims of self-defense, or alternatively, an accidental shooting.

Draskovich also highlighted the defense's position that the identification of Montes relied heavily on a distinctive tattoo. Despite these arguments, the jury deliberated and returned a guilty verdict, rejecting the defense’s narrative.

Gabriel Montes, who was tried as an adult given the gravity of the charges, now faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison, a term that could be imposed without the possibility of parole.

His sentencing has been scheduled for August 1, 2024. As the legal proceedings move towards their final phase, the impact of this violent act continues to ripple through the community, underscoring the devastating consequences of revenge.