A somber closure came to a grim case this week, as two defendants received lengthy prison sentences for their roles in a murder and attempted robbery dating back to 2023. As reported by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office, Judge Maryanne Gilliard sentenced Richard Gonzalez to 57 years to life in prison, while accomplice Angelo Dilnawaz received 26 years to life during a hearing on June 20.
During the trial, the jury heard evidence regarding the defendants’ plot to purchase drugs from the victim, Steven Haefner. The transaction took a lethal turn on December 20, 2023, when Haefner was shot inside Gonzalez’s car. After being coerced into the vehicle, Haefner was fatally wounded, and his body was disposed of from the moving vehicle, without cash or drugs found on him, according to surveillance and witness accounts. Gonzalez, notably also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, had a previous strike for assault with a firearm, the judge found true.
The Sacramento DA’s office detailed the evidence that led to the convictions. An ankle monitor Gonzalez was wearing played a pivotal role in tracing his whereabouts and linking him to the crime scene. Dilnawaz was subsequently connected to Gonzalez and the area where the incident occurred…