A Calexico man who pleaded guilty to a single count of involuntary manslaughter this week will be sentenced Feb. 23, the defendant’s attorney said Friday.
Defense attorney Raj Singh said his client, Victor Rangel, who pleaded guilty Thursday, is remorseful about his role in the Dec. 15 death of his 19-year-old friend Marc Saucedo at Rangel’s home on Blair Avenue in Calexico.
Saucedo died from a single gunshot wound to the head that Calexico police said was fired at close range.
Rangel could receive two years in state prison for the involuntary manslaughter count plus an additional three years for the use of a gun, Singh said.
Rangel was initially arrested on the charge of murder but after reviewing the police report the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office filed the involuntary manslaughter charge instead.
“It’s definitely something he regrets happening,” Singh said. “I think everyone else does.”
Calexico police believe Rangel deliberately shot Saucedo after Rangel told detectives that a masked gunman entered his home and opened fire. Rangel then changed his story, saying the shooting was accidental, authorities said.
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
