Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Killing Toddler

DENVER (CBS4) – A Denver jury announced their verdict on Monday morning in the Angel Montoya case, finding him guilty on all counts.

Montoya, 26, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Neveah Gallegos in 2007. He was found guilty of that murder, child abuse resulting in death, and abuse of a corpse. The case went to the jury Thursday afternoon.

Prosecutors made the case that Montoya strangled Neveah while he was babysitting.

Montoya's first trial ended in a mistrial. The jury this time around was made up of 12 women.

"Obviously, the win would be if we could get Neveah back to this family and we can't, but we are happy today that justice has been served," Denver Chief Deputy District Attorney Michelle Amico said.

Miriam Gallegos is already serving a 12-year sentence for covering up the crime. She lied to police and said a red-haired man had abducted her daughter. She was giving Montoya time to hide the girl's body.

Neveah's relatives cried in court when the verdict was read.

"We got justice for Neveah and it's been a long time coming, but we finally got justice for my granddaughter and my baby," Janet Gallegos said.

"We're happy it's over and my little girl can rest in peace now," Neveah's great aunt Vera Vigil said.

The toddler's body was discovered in a drainage ditch three days after she died.

"Please don't harm a child. Please, they are innocent, they are defenseless, there are other means and mechanisms by which you can handle issues and problems you have with kids. Please walk away," Amico said.

Montoya will be back in court next Tuesday. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole.