ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An Albuquerque man is facing life behind bars for killing a 75-year-old during a robbery last year. On Friday, a jury convicted James Gonzales of murdering Harry Velarde. Prosecutors said Gonzales and his girlfriend went to a southeast Albuquerque apartment in March 2024 to rob Velarde, a man whom the girlfriend had met days earlier. Velarde reportedly let the girlfriend stay at the apartment temporarily.
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Gonzales shot Velarde, killing him, and fled with his girlfriend. The two were later arrested at Villanueva State Park.
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