An Oakland woman is now sentenced to six years for murder of ex-boyfriend in a drive-by shooting, pleading no contest.
She has has agreed to a six-year prison sentence and a manslaughter conviction through a plea deal, allowing her to avoid a murder charge, according to court documents.
Incident Overview
In a tragic turn of events, 22-year-old Maricela Urias-Martinez has pleaded no contest to the fatal shooting of her 25-year-old ex-boyfriend, Walter Mancia Menjiva.
The incident occurred on September 27, 2023, in Oakland, California, as part of a drive-by shooting.
On January 13, 2024, Urias-Martinez was sentenced to six years in prison; however, she remains at Santa Rita Jail as of the latest records.
Details of the Crime
Urias-Martinez stands out as the sole suspect charged in the death of Mancia Menjiva, but authorities have indicated that she was not the only individual involved in this crime.
According to law enforcement, a male accomplice drove a stolen Infiniti vehicle to the scene located at the 5700 block of International Boulevard.
This accomplice was behind the wheel while Urias-Martinez, seated in the passenger seat, discharged a firearm that ultimately claimed Mancia Menjiva’s life.
After the shooting, the stolen Infiniti was intentionally set on fire.
The individual believed to have driven this vehicle has since faced legal repercussions for his actions.
He entered a no contest plea for possessing a stolen vehicle in an unrelated case and received a sentence of six months in jail.
Investigation and Motive
The investigation into this shocking case has raised numerous questions, particularly regarding the motive behind the shooting.
Law enforcement officials have not disclosed any details relating to why the incident occurred.
Urias-Martinez has reportedly denied any involvement in the homicide, while her suspected accomplice has remained silent throughout the investigation.
The identification of both suspects was significantly aided by security cameras that captured the critical moments of the shooting.
Personal Circumstances
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, Urias-Martinez was pregnant at the time of her arrest in November 2023.
A motion filed by her legal team in May requested her release prior to giving birth, citing her due date in June.
The motion also sought to provide her with a doula while in custody.
However, a judge denied this request, and court records indicate that she continues to serve her time in jail.
Connection to Other Crimes
The investigation took another turn when the firearm allegedly used in the shooting of Mancia Menjiva was recovered from a suspect involved in a different homicide.
This suspect, Marco Leiva-Saucedo, is currently incarcerated and faces charges related to the murder of 25-year-old Johnathan Carballo.
This shooting, which also resulted in injuries to a 30-year-old man, occurred on August 28, 2023—approximately one month before Mancia Menjiva’s death.
Initially, Leiva-Saucedo was only charged with possession of a firearm.
However, following further investigation, prosecutors escalated the charges to murder.
Notably, during a police interview, Leiva-Saucedo identified himself in the security footage of the shooting, linking him to the violent crime.
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