2 brothers found guilty of murdering groom in fight at 2019 wedding reception in Chino

CHINO, Calif. (KABC) — Two brothers were found guilty of murder in connection with the death of a groom at his 2019 wedding reception in Chino, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

According to a jury verdict rendered on Feb. 9, Rony and Josue Castaneda were guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Joe Melgoza, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

The Castaneda brothers were also convicted of assault with a deadly weapon to injure the bride’s brother.

Joe and Esther Melgoza were married on Dec. 14, 2019. The groom was celebrating his wedding hours before the violent incident occurred in the early morning hours of Dec. 15, at a family home where the reception included a mariachi band, a photo booth, bar, DJ and dance floor, investigators said.

“Although the Casteneda brothers did not have any apparent connection to the wedding party, they lived nearby and likely heard the festivities and went to the reception, uninvited,” the DA’s statement said. “At the reception, the brothers were seen socializing, dancing and taking photos with female guests.”

The brothers left but later returned, unknownst to Melgoza and his family, armed with baseball bats, according to prosecutors.

“When the Castaneda brothers returned, they did so on a trail behind the house where the reception was held,” the press release said. “Standing in the dark behind a fence they made antagonistic statements for Melgoza to jump over the fence to their side. Once Melgoza and his family jumped the fence, the brothers started hitting them all with bats and fists.”

A family member was able to take a bat from one of the Castaneda brothers, who ran into a nearby home. Melgoza, who was unarmed, followed them.

Minutes later, authorities said, the defendants were seen hopping a fence out of the unrelated residence with a single bat, which was never found.

Chino police officers responded to the scene and found Melgoza dead in the yard where the Castaneda brothers were last seen. Melgoza’s official cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head, and he died within minutes, officials said.

Although Josue Castaneda denied attending the reception, after the arrests a photo-booth picture of both brothers and one of the female guests from the reception was found in his front pocket.

Snapchat information also helped Chino police in identifying the two assassins.

“Although this conviction can never undo the pain caused by two individual’s actions, I hope it brings a measure of closure to the wife and loved ones of Joe Melgoza,” San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said in a statement.

Rony and Josue Castaneda are scheduled to be sentenced on March 13.

  • Related Posts

    Unveiling the Impact of pafikotcurup.org: A Journey Towards Sustainable Change

    In a rapidly changing world, the necessity for dedicated organizations that strive for social transformation is paramount. pafikotcurup.org stands as a testament to this commitment, engaging communities in a myriad…

    Use Data Analytics to Optimize Content Marketing

    Understanding how your content performs in the fast-paced digital marketing world is essential to stay ahead of the competition. Data analytics can provide the insights you need to optimize your…

    You Missed

    #1 Site For Reasonable Automotive Leases Automobile Rental Offers

    • By baresi
    • October 12, 2024
    • 24 views

    Biden-harris Administration Announces Historic Funding To Integrate Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder Therapy Into Primary Care

    • By baresi
    • October 11, 2024
    • 21 views

    How to Use Your Engagement Photos for Wedding Invitations and Save-the-Dates

    • By baresi
    • October 11, 2024
    • 11 views

    Exploring Innovative Learning Methods Through Technology

    • By baresi
    • October 10, 2024
    • 18 views

    Tech Giants: Analyzing the Market Leaders

    • By baresi
    • October 10, 2024
    • 17 views

    The Impact of Technology on Small Business Law

    • By baresi
    • October 10, 2024
    • 16 views