Tyler Kelly pleads guilty to murder of Marcellano Briseno
An Artesia man was sentenced to 12 years in State prison after pleading no contest to second-degree murder in a 2020 shooting in Roswell after a dispute over a woman.
Tyler Kelley, 24, was originally charged with first-degree murder in the death of Marcelleno Briseno. Kelley struck a plea deal with the Fifth Judicial District Attorney's Office on the lesser charge of second-degree murder, according to online court records.
Fifth Judicial District Judge Thomas Lilley suspended four years of Kelley’s 16-year sentence, meaning he will serve 12 years in prison for killing Briseno. Once his prison term ends, Kelley will be on parole for two years and probation for four years, online court records noted.
More:Alleged dispute over a woman leads to murder charges against an Artesia man
Lilley required Kelley to perform 200 hours of community service and maintain employment along with no possession of firearms at the conclusion of his prison term, court records read.
Charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence were dismissed as a result of the plea deal.
Roswell Police officers arrested Kelley May 22, 2022 after he shot Briseno at a residence in south Roswell, said Roswell Police Department Spokesperson Todd Wildermuth. A second man was wounded in the shooting.
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Briseno died from the gunshot injuries at a Roswell hospital.
Wildermuth said investigators determined there was an ongoing dispute between a woman, Kelley and a second, unidentified man.
He said Briseno was with that man when they came to confront Kelley at the residence shortly after they arrived.
Kelley's legal issues are not done. He faces a jury trial in Carlsbad Oct. 3 for attempt to commit first degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder and tampering with evidence in Eddy County, stated court records and a criminal complaint filed by the Eddy County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's detectives alleged Kelley shot at a vehicle traveling south on U.S. Highway 285 near Artesia on May 22,2020, which later crashed into a guardrail.
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A bullet wounded the driver who was later flown to El Paso for medical treatment, per the criminal complaint.
Eddy County Sheriff’s detectives alleged Kelley murdered Briseno after the shooting near Artesia.
Eddy County Detention Center Warden Billy Massingill said Kelley awaited transportation from the Chaves County Detention Center in Roswell on the Eddy County charges.
More:Trial date set for Artesia man charged with murder in 2021
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Tyler Kelly pleads guilty to murder of Marcellano Briseno
