KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com | Man sentenced to 40 years in wrestler's death

Man sentenced to 40 years in wrestler's death

Associated Press - November 25, 2009 11:15 AM ET

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A man convicted of of voluntary manslaughter in the torture killing of a Rio Rancho high school wrestler two years ago has been sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Elias Urioste was convicted in September of killing 19-year-old Vincent Espinoza, whose body was discovered burned on Albuquerque's west mesa in February 2007, several weeks after his family reported him missing.

Jurors also convicted Urioste of kidnapping, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon; tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence.

Two other men also have been charged in Espinoza's death. They have not gone on trial yet.

Information from: KRQE-TV, http://www.krqe.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.