DENVER, CO – A Denver courtroom was filled with emotion on Thursday as family and friends of Pamela Cabriales sought justice for her tragic death. In 2021, Cabriales, an 18-year-old mother, was killed in a shooting after a minor car accident near Colfax Avenue and Interstate 25. The gunman, 14-year-old Remi Cordova, was said to be trying to gain favor with gang members when he opened fire on her car.
District Attorney Beth McCann emphasized the importance of the sentence in ensuring Cordova is held accountable for his actions. Outside the courtroom, Cabriales’ family gathered to remember her as a beacon of love and compassion. “We love her and look forward to one day being with her again,” her brother Alex expressed, reflecting on the void left by her absence.
Cabriales’ family and friends spoke passionately about her impact, with her mother delivering a heartfelt message in Spanish, illustrating the profound change in their lives since her passing. The courtroom also heard about Cordova’s troubled upbringing, marked by domestic violence and neglect. His defense detailed a life filled with hardship, including incidents of abuse and the murder of his father.
Cordova addressed the court, offering an apology for the pain endured by Cabriales’ family but maintained his innocence in the crime. “I’m terribly sorry for the pain that you guys feel, but I cannot take responsibility for something I did not do,” he stated.
Judge Darrell Shockley, who handed down Cordova’s sentence, acknowledged the systemic failures that contributed to the young man’s path. “Do you feel responsible for where your son has ended up?” the judge asked Cordova’s mother, who acknowledged shared responsibility among many parties.
Despite Cordova’s difficult past, Cabriales’ family expressed little sympathy, focusing instead on the impact of the tragedy on her young son, Leo. “He wakes up in the middle of the night, screaming and yelling,” Alex shared, questioning who would address the trauma Leo and the rest of the family continue to suffer.
The sentence, meant to provide some measure of justice for Cabriales’ family, also serves as a stark reminder of the broader societal issues at play, from gang violence to systemic failures in supporting at-risk youth.