Randall Jones sentenced to life for murder of Shirley Pacheco of Tucumcari

link QCS Photo: Thomas Garcia

Defense attorney Michael Rosenfield and his client Randall Jones awaiting the sentencing from Ninth Judicial District Judge Stephen K. Quinn Thursday at the Quay County District Court in Tucumcari. Jones was convicted by a jury in May 2014, for the July 9, 2011 murder of Shirley Pacheco of Tucumcari. Jones was sentenced to life for the 1st degree murder and 10 1/2 additional years to be served consecutively for associated counts in the case.

QCS Senior Writer

Randall Jones was sentenced to life in prison Thursday at a hearing in Tenth Judicial District Court for the murder of Shirley Pacheco of Tucumcari.

In addition to the life sentence, special Judge Stephen K. Quinn of the Ninth Judicial District sentenced Jones to 21 years for associated counts in the case that he was found guilty of May 22. Those convictions were for aggravated burglary, auto theft and tampering with evidence among others.

Half of those years will be served consecutively adding 10 1/2 to his sentence and the others were ordered served concurrently with his life sentence.

“I feel that it was a fair and deliberate sentence by the court,” said Tim Rose, Tenth Judicial district attorney

Jones addressed the judge, the Pachecos and his own family before sentencing.

“I'm not going to make any excuses for what I did,” Jones said. “I apologize to Shirley's family especially to Christine Pacheco, Shirley's mother, for what I have done. I know that nothing I do will ever bring your daughter back.”

“We are happy that he got more than 30 years,” said A.J. Pacheco, Shirley's nephew “We are also happy that he apologized and showed remorse for what he did for the first time today.”

A.J. was one of four members of Shirley's family that spoke at the sentencing hearing and presented judge Quinn with family photos of Shirley.

Each member said their lives had been forever changed by the brutal slaying and held deep resentment towards Jones.

“Randall Jones took a big part of my life and I am reminded of that every day when I pull into my home where my daughter was murdered,” Christine Pacheco said.

Christine said the pain Jones caused her and Shirley's family would forever haunt them. She said the brutal way she was slain and how they found her would be something they carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Shirley's cousin Esperanza Madrid wrote a statement that was read by her sister Nicole Madrid that spoke about Shirley and what Jones' had taken from the family by killing her.

“Shirley had a big heart, and yes she had her faults in life, though none of those faults could ever warrant you killing her Mr. Jones.”

Jone's father Richard Jones addressed the court and Pacheco's family during the hearing.

“I want to express my and my family condolences to the Pacheco family for their loss,” Richard Jones said. “We are shocked about the very nature of these crimes because it so out of character for our son Randall. He has never raised a hand in anger to any member of our family and has always acted with respect. I ask that the court be lenient in their sentencing of him today.”

Jones' defense attorney Michael Rosenfield said Quinn was fair in his sentencing of his client.