Convicted killer Brenden James gets 15-years

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — Brenden James, 21, was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday.

A jury convicted James in October of second-degree murder following a weeklong trial in which prosecutors sought a first-degree murder conviction. James is convicted of killing Kevin Begay, then 19, by shooting him in the head May 30, 2007.

James’ trial ended Oct. 10, 2008.

Second-degree murder carries with it a maximum penalty of 15 years in New Mexico. Because of the violent nature of the crime, the state further mandates that anyone convicted of it serve at least 85 percent of his or her sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Sentencing is left to a judge, who has the power to set a portion of the sentence in the form of probation.

After hearing comments and concerns from friends and relatives of the late Kevin Begay, and from those of Brenden James, Judge Grant Foutz sentenced James to the maximum penalty allowed by law — 15 years.

Because James has been incarcerated since June of last year, about 18 months, his sentence will be discounted that amount of time.

James will not be eligible for parole until 2020 when he is 32 years old.