Diego Lopez Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder in Connection with Death of 14 Year-Old Boy

DENVER — Denver District Attorney John Walsh has announced that Diego Lopez pleaded guilty today to second-degree murder in connection with the death of 14 year-old Josiaz “Jojo” Aragon.

On August 8, 2022, Lopez, who was 16 at the time, severely beat, shot and killed Aragon outside the Southwest Recreation Center at 9200 West Saratoga Place.  Lopez was in the process of buying a gun from Aragon.

Lopez faces up to 48 years in prison when he’s sentenced on July 18.

“With this plea, Diego Lopez is finally accepting responsibility for his horrific and senseless actions.  We will seek a heavy prison term when he’s sentenced,” said DA Walsh.  “The successful resolution of the case was the result of the outstanding work of the prosecutors, investigators, paralegals and victim advocates in the Denver DA’s Office, as well as the homicide detectives with the Denver Police Department.”

Chief Deputy District Attorney Dawn Weber, Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Nitido and Senior Deputy District Attorney Ashley Beck prosecuted the case for the Denver DA’s Office.

About the Denver DA’s Office:

The mission of the Denver DA’s Office is to protect the community, to seek equal justice for all, and to improve the quality and fairness of criminal justice on behalf of the people of Colorado.  We achieve that mission through excellence in our work investigating and prosecuting crime, supporting victims and their families, working with the community to prevent crime, and providing fair alternatives to incarceration in appropriate cases.

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