Two brothers were found guilty of murdering a man by beating him to death on his wedding night.
On February 9, a San Bernardino jury found Rony Castaneda, 31, and his younger brother Josue Castaneda, 22, guilty of second-degree murder for the violent killing of Joe Melgoza, 30, on his wedding day in December, 2019.
For injuring the bride’s brother Juan Bustamonte, the brothers were also found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon.
Melgoza’s wedding reception was held at the home of a family member. The Castaneda brothers had no relationship with the family or the wedding, but they probably heard the music from nearby and decided to crash the party.
The brothers went to the wedding reception, which resulted in the groom’s death following the festivities.
According to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office, the brothers were seen dancing and socializing all night at the party. They left the wedding reception but returned later armed with baseball bats.
They began threatening the groom on a trail behind the house, daring him to jump over the fence.
Melgoza and a few family members jumped over the fence, but the brothers immediately attacked them with the baseball bats. Melgoza pursued the brothers, who had fled to another house, unarmed.
Officers from the Chino Police Department responded to the reception and discovered an injured family member. Melgoza’s body was later discovered in the yard where the Castaneda brothers had fled.
Before the police arrived, both brothers were seen fleeing with a bat, which was never found.
According to the medical examiner, Melgoza died from blunt force trauma.
Both brothers were arrested soon after, but Josue claimed he never attended the reception. The police discovered a photograph of him and one of the wedding guests in his front pocket. The presence of the brothers at the reception was also confirmed by Snapchat videos.
The brothers will be sentenced on March 13.
Melgoza was survived by a new wife and a daughter.