A day that was supposed to be filled with happiness turned into a nightmare for a married couple.
Just a few hours after saying their “I dos”, two brothers murdered the groom.
This horrific incident took place in 2019 and the two brothers were finally convicted for their crime.
Joe Melgoza was celebrating his nuptials on Dec. 14, 2019, when he was attacked at his wedding reception, which was held in the backyard of a family member in Chino, California.
Rony and Josue Castaneda, 31 and 22 respectively, were convicted of second-degree murder by a jury on Feb. 9 for Melgoza’s death.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release on Wednesday, “The two brothers were also found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon for injuries that Melgoza’s brother, Juan Bustamonte, suffered.”
In the wee hours of Dec. 15, Melgoza was in newlywed bliss at his wedding reception when the uninvited Castaneda brothers showed up.
“They lived nearby and likely heard the festivities and went to the reception,” said the D.A.’s office. They were later seen taking part in the reception, dancing and snapping photos with women who were at the party.
The two brothers left the party, but eventually returned a bit later through a trail behind the home. The groom had no idea they had returned. The brothers stood behind a fence and taunted Melgoza, telling him to jump to the other side.
Once Melgoza and his family jumped the fence, the brothers began hitting them all with bats and fists. A family member was able to pull a bat from one of the Castaneda brothers who ran into an unrelated residence. They were followed by Melgoza, who ran into the yard unarmed. A few minutes later the Castaneda brothers were seen jumping the fence out of the unrelated residence with a single bat, which was never found.
The Chino Police Department were the first to arrive to the scene after reports of a family member being hurt had been given to 911.
They later discovered Melgoza’s body in the same yard the Castaneda brothers had fled to. Melgoza had died “within minutes” of suffering blunt force trauma to the head.
Josue told police he was never at the reception, however, a photobooth image of him and Rony posing with a female guest was found in his front pocket after his arrest. Snapchat also played a role in helping authorities find Josue and Rony.
“I commend my colleagues’ dedication to this case and determination to seek justice for a family who endured such unimaginable grief during a time that should be filled love and happiness,” said San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson. “Although this conviction can never undo the pain caused by two individual’s actions, I hope it brings a measure of closure to the wife and loved ones of Joe Melgoza.”
The brothers are set to be sentenced on March 13.
Melgoza was not only survived by his new wife, but also his daughter.
