Trial of accused child killer underway

SANTA ROSA, N.M. - The trial for a Las Vegas man accused of shooting and killing a 6-year old girl while gunning for someone else started Monday in Guadalupe County.

Investigators believe David Chavez, 21, was aiming for an adult when he killed Jasmine Garcia. He is charged with first-degree murder.

During his opening statement prosecutor Richard Flores told the jury the murder stemmed from an ongoing feud between Chavez and Garcia's uncle, Jeffrey Sanchez.

Garcia was fatally shot while sleeping in her room in June 2008. Her younger sister found her body the next morning.

"On the bed she finds her sister with a severe, what she calls burn mark, to her hand," Flores said. "She tries to wake her up. Nothing."

It took Las Vegas police several months to find and arrest Chavez for the murder.

Garcia's family said the past year and a half has been incredibly difficult. Since the shooting they've moved out of their home and sold it.

Garcia's grandfather said it's still too painful to go back there.

"We can't really go in that house and everything," Bobby Sanchez told KRQE News 13. "Bad memories.

"I'm having a lot of trouble. My daughter has been to counseling, and she just can't even see the house or anything."

In its opening statement Monday the defense argued Chavez was set up.

The trial resumes Tuesday morning.

Chavez's trial was moved to Guadalupe County from Las Vegas because of pre-trial publicity.