Second man convicted in 2022 murder of Deming teen

DEMING — A jury on Monday convicted a second man involved in the 2022 killing of 14-year-old Ashton Remondini.

Rafael Camacho, 22, was found guilty of first-degree murder as well as felony tampering with evidence; contributing to the delinquency of a minor; larceny involving a firearm; and conspiracy charges.

The outcome was reported by District Attorney Norman Wheeler's office. A sentencing hearing, where he could face a lifetime prison sentence, has not yet been scheduled.

The verdict appeared to conclude a case that began when Remondini disappeared after going to shoot guns with friends in a remote area north of Deming. His family reported him missing the following day, after friends reported that Remondini had sent a Snapchat video showing himself firing an AR-15 rifle and his girlfriend told the family he had been shot.

Using clues from the video to ascertain his location, police found Remondini by Keeler Road near a state highway two days later. Shell casings from AR-15 and 9mm weapons, vehicle tracks and shoe prints were present as well. It was subsequently determined the boy had died of stabbing and gunshot wounds.

Michael Moody, who was 16 years old at the time, and Camacho, then 18, accompanied Remondini and were charged with shooting and stabbing the teen in a plot to kill him and steal his firearm, purportedly in retribution for another friend's death by drug overdose.

Moody, a runaway from Thatcher, Arizona, who had hitchhiked to Deming, turned himself in to police and confessed, according to the original criminal complaint.

Moody was tried as a serious youthful offender and he pleaded guilty in 2023 to first-degree murder, conspiracy and robbery, and received a 28-year prison sentence with a concurrent 12-year sentence on the other charges.

The 9mm handgun Moody said he used to shoot Remondini was found in Camacho's house, according to police. Moody told police Camacho drove the trio to the remote area and that both defendants stabbed Camacho with a hunting knife.

During his trial last week, Camacho admitted to stabbing Remondini in the neck during cross-examination, according to a news release from Wheeler's office, saying, “This is the fastest way.”

An obituary said Remondini attended Deming High School, played soccer and football with local youth leagues and was a Motocross and BMX racing fan.

"Ashton was a tremendous light in our lives and his great love for his family and friends will be forever missed and remembered by those who knew him best," his family said in a statement.