Man who shot and killed 2 near Reedley sentenced to life in prison

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Eloy Romero Jr. was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2014 murders of Joseph Blunt and George Duarte on Thursday.

The two victims were found in a car that had crashed into a tree in Fresno County. However, an autopsy later revealed the two were shot at close range. Romero became a suspect after detectives found his cell phone in the car, along with other evidence.

According to prosecutors, Romero believed his mother's death a few years ago was at the hands of a gang member. But a deputy district attorney told jurors she died of either natural causes or a drug overdose. Regardless the reason, detectives believe her death is the motivating factor behind the murders.

Both victims had gang ties.

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