In a plea deal that has sparked outrage among grieving family members, a Michigan man who opened fire at a family gathering, killing three, including a pregnant cousin, could now be free after serving less than a year in prison.
In the summer of 2022, a family gathering on Saginaw's East Side ended in tragedy as 51-year-old Juan M. Mireles allegedly fired into the crowd, killing three 24-year-old cousins, according to MLive.
One of the victims, Laura Buendia, was pregnant; her child survived, though she did not.
Just a day before his trial, Mireles accepted a plea deal, pleading no contest to manslaughter and felony firearm charges, both serious but far lighter than the multiple murder charges he originally faced.
Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson, MLive further revealed, will sentence him under advisory guidelines of three to eight years; with time served, Mireles may be released in under a year.
In exchange for his plea, MLive disclosed, prosecutors dropped several severe charges, including open murder, following consultations with the victims' families about the case's evidence and proof issues. Defense attorney Alan A. Crawford explained that Mireles' no-contest plea stemmed from concerns over civil liability, and thus, Mireles did not admit guilt.
Witnesses who testified in preliminary hearings recalled rising tensions at the gathering after a woman accused Mireles of past assault, escalating into a verbal altercation. Later, Mireles arrived on scene in a minivan, allegedly asking, "Who's talking (expletive)?" before shots rang out. Although several witnesses said they saw Mireles with a gun, his sisters insisted they saw no weapon in his hands.
Dr. Michael Markey, who performed autopsies on the victims, testified Buendia had suffered three gunshot wounds, while Mariano Escareño and Rafael J. "Rafa" Campos were also shot multiple times. A 9mm handgun was recovered from Campos' hand, raising additional questions over how the shooting unfolded.
Buendia, who was an award-winning baker, left behind a young daughter, Rosalina, who is now doing well despite a difficult start. Escareño was an artist and photographer, while Campos, a passionate Michigan State fan, was known for his music and love of sports.
This case is not Mireles' first brush with violence; in 2010, he was convicted of shooting his brother and assaulting his ex-wife, serving two years in prison. His sentencing in this case remains pending.
