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Teen Charged As Adult Pleads Guilty To 2nd Degree Murder

BRIGHTON, Colo. (CBS4)- A teenager charged as an adult in connection with a deadly stabbing has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Matthew James Trujillo, 18, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Thursday in the stabbing death of Anthony Benavidez, 18, on Jan. 4, 2014.

According to court records, Trujillo, then 17, challenged Benavidez to a fight after becoming angry about Benavidez having contact with his sister and his girlfriend. The two met in a park near the 4200 block of East 100th Avenue. Trujillo was wearing metallic knuckles with a built-in blade and stabbed Benavidez in the throat.

Trujillo was charged as an adult with first-degree murder. Under the plea agreement he faces a stipulated sentence of 16 to 48 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for March 12 in Adams County District Court.

Trujillo's father, Brian Carl Trujillo, 40, has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, tampering with physical evidence and accessory to crime. He is scheduled for an arraignment on Feb. 4.

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