Man sentenced to 20 years in killing that began with argument over speeding

A judge on Wednesday sentenced Joseph Gonzales to 20 years in prison for a 2022 shooting death that began with a dispute over speeding in a South Valley neighborhood.

A jury in July found Gonzales, 47, guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Abner Antillon during an argument outside Gonzales’ home in the 1600 block of Val Verde SW, near Isleta and Blake.

Second Judicial District Judge David Murphy sentenced Gonzales to the maximum term of 15 years for second-degree murder and added a five-year firearm enhancement allowed under state law.

A jury last year acquitted Gonzales of first-degree murder in Antillon’s killing but failed to reach a verdict on a lesser charge of second-degree murder, allowing prosecutors to try him a second time.

Jurors repeatedly watched video and audio from a neighbor’s security camera that showed much of the fatal encounter. It showed that minutes before he was killed, Antillon was driving a vintage International Scout on Val Verde SW when Gonzales shouted “slow down.”

Antillon put the vehicle in reverse and stopped in front of Gonzales’ residence, initiating an argument. Prosecutors told jurors that Gonzales drew a handgun from a holster and fired a single gunshot that struck the ground, followed by three shots that fatally struck at Antillon.

Gonzales’ attorney, Marcus Cameron, told jurors that Gonzales acted in self-defense when he fired the gunshots.

Assistant District Attorney Emilie Edmonds argued that Gonzales fatally shot the unarmed Antillon in the back as he was retreating to his vehicle.

Antillon’s killing on Aug. 29, 2022, came only a month after Gonzales testified in the July 2022 trial of his brother, Fabian Gonzales, in the death of 10-year-old Victoria Martens.

A judge sentenced Fabian Gonzales in October 2022 to 37½ years in prison after a jury found him guilty of child abuse resulting in death, seven counts of tampering with evidence and conspiracy.