Three months after an Immokalee man changed his plea to no contest during the fourth day of his trial, halting the proceeding, a judge denied the convicted killer’s attempt to reverse it.
Malachi Montelongo, 23, faced one count of second-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the July 16, 2019, slaying of 33-year-old Adriana Abrigo. He pleaded no contest on Feb. 19 and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
But defense attorney Lisa Mead argued in an April 6 motion that Montelongo did not understand the plea or its consequences.
“Defendant proceeded only because he was instructed by counsel to sign,” the motion reads in part, later adding that his trial attorney, Nico Vitale, misled Montelongo on factors — such as good behavior or the participation in rehabilitation or work programs — that could reduce his prison time.
Collier Circuit Judge Joseph Foster denied the motion during a May 20 hearing that lasted just over an hour.
Malachi Montelongo’s older brother, Jesus Montelongo, 25, faced the same charges and pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2022. He has not been sentenced yet.
According to a Collier County sheriff’s incident report, the then-teens were in a red Nissan Altima and began shooting into a silver vehicle with three people inside, including Abrigo. The vehicle was parked near a home at the 700 block of Amos Court.
Abrigo suffered gunshot wounds and died at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers.
When sheriff’s deputies questioned Malachi Montelongo, the younger sibling said he was angry that a woman in the silver vehicle stole an ounce of marijuana from him, according to the arrest report.
He then grabbed his guns and drove to the residence on Amos Court where he saw the car and the woman, according to the arrest report.
Malachi Montelongo exited the car, which Jesus Montelongo was driving, and fired multiple rounds into the car, according to the arrest report.
According to court documents, Malachi Montelongo told deputies that his brother also was an active shooter during the incident.
Deputies found shell casings from more than one weapon, according to the incident report. The statement Malachi Montelongo gave matched the crime scene, according to the arrest report.
During questioning, Jesus Montelongo denied his involvement in the incident, but changed his story several times. Witnesses identified him as one of the shooters, according to the arrest report.
According to the incident report, witnesses said several children were playing outside near Amos Court during the shooting.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@usatodayco.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Judge denies motion to reverse plea in Immokalee murder
Reporting by Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
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