Murder Conviction Upheld For Man Who Killed 3-Year-Old

DENVER (CBS4)- The first-degree murder conviction for the man who killed a 3-year-old in 2007 has been upheld by the Colorado Court of Appeals.

Angel Ray Montoya as convicted of first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in death and abuse of a corpse for the death of Neveah Gallegos. He was given a mandatory life term for the first-degree murder count, 48 years for the child abuse resulting in death count and 12 months for the abuse of a corpse, to be served concurrently.

Her body was found in a ravine in Lakewood Dry Gulch in the 1100 block of Perry Street in Sept. 2007 following days of searching by police and hundreds of community members.

Montoya appealed his conviction and alleged in his appeal that the trial of the court had erred in its jury instructions and by improperly admitting evidence and testimony.

In an unpublished opinion dated August 20, the Colorado Court of Appeals rejected Montoya's arguments and affirmed his conviction. The case was handled on appeal by Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman and First Assistant Attorney General Paul Koehler.

Neveah's mother, Miriam Gallegos was also charged in the case. She pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death and is serving a 12-year sentence in the Colorado Department of Corrections.