Community Corner
Man Admits He Killed Carlsbad Mother and Attempted to Kill Her Cousin
A man who fatally shot a Carlsbad woman who broke off their brief relationship pleaded guilty today to second-degree murder and to attempted murder for wounding the victim's cousin.
Gilberto Mendoza Castillo, 39, was found mentally competent to stand trial last month.
He faces 48 years to life in prison when he is sentenced May 15 at the Vista Courthouse.
Castillo admitted guilt in the 2003 death of 31-year-old Maria Munoz, a mother of three. Authorities said he fled to Mexico where he was arrested last year and returned to the United States for prosecution. Prosecutors said the Munoz dated Castillo for about a month before ending the relationship. The two worked together for a couple of years at Cessy's Taco Shop in Carlsbad, along with her cousin, Miguel Silva. Castillo told police that he suspected Munoz was dating Silva.
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The defendant found out that Munoz was picking up Silva at the taco shop the night of Dec. 7, 2003, and waited for them, according to authorities. Castillo shot Munoz six times. Silva was shot four times.
–City News Service
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