Teen avoids prison time in sister's 'Mortal Kombat' death

WELD COUNTY - A teenager from Johnstown was given a suspended sentence in prison on Wednesday for her part in the death of her half-sister.

Seventeen-year-old Heather Trujillo was given an 18-year suspended sentence in the death of 7-year-old Zoe Garcia. However, she must spend six years in the youth offender program. If she does not violate the terms of her plea deal, she will not have to spend any time in prison.

Trujillo will be sent to a facility in Pueblo, where she will stay until her six-year sentence is complete.

Trujillo did not speak at Wednesday's hearing, but spent most of the time crying.

Trujillo and her boyfriend, 17-year-old Lamar Roberts, told police they were acting out the video game "Mortal Kombat," when they kicked, karate chopped and body slammed the little girl in December 2007. Garcia later died of her injuries.

Both Trujillo and Roberts were charged with child abuse resulting in a death.

Heather Trujillo pleaded guilty in the death of Garcia in May and agreed to testify against Roberts.

Trujillo's mother asked the judge to be lenient.

"I already lost one daughter," said Dana Trujillo. "She made a huge mistake and she paid a huge price. My family hasn't had a chance to grieve for Zoe because of all this. We haven't been together, haven't got any time to express how this has affected us."

In court on Wednesday, the prosecutor asked for the maximum sentence because of the brutality of the crime and because Trujillo could have stopped it.

"This case is about one thing: two of the people that Zoe Garcia trusted, that Zoe Garcia's mom trusted, to take care of her took advantage of that trust," said Robb Miller, the chief deputy district attorney.

Trujillo's own attorney asked for a lighter sentence of 12 years.

"I've spent a lot of time with Heather," said Trujillo's attorney, Jerry Manzer. "She didn't want this for Zoe."

"I know it's hard for someone to understand how much Heather loves her sister, but she does, and she grieves too," said Manzer.

Roberts is scheduled in court for a preliminary hearing on July 10.