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Courtroom brawl during murder defendant's sentencing
Frank DeLeon Jr. has accepted a plea deal and is set to be sentenced to 45 years for the brutal shooting of his ex-girlfriend, 16-year-old Diamond Alvarez, who was shot 22 times while walking her dog last year. (NOTE: This video is from October 17.
HOUSTON - The uncle of 16-year-old Diamond Alvarez has been charged after a brawl erupted during a court hearing for the teen who pleaded guilty to her murder.
Gerardo Machado, 28, has been charged with misdemeanor interference with public duties for the incident in the Harris County courtroom on Oct. 17.
Gerardo Machado
RELATED: Diamond Alvarez murder suspect Frank DeLeon Jr. attacked during court appearance
That’s when, Frank DeLeon Jr., 19, appeared in court to plead guilty to murder in the death of Alvarez in 2022. She was shot nearly two dozen times.
Frank Deleon, Jr. (right), 17, is charged with murder in the death of Diamond Alvarez (left), 16, who was shot January 11, 2022.
During the hearing, a fight broke out between the two families. Video shows Diamond’s uncle rushing at DeLeon. Alvarez's mother and DeLeon's mother were also seen physically going after each other. Security had to intervene and separate the two families. Diamond’s mother later apologized on behalf of the family.
RELATED: Man who shot 16-year-old sentenced to 45 years
"The family confronted what they call a monster last week," Gerardo Machado’s attorney Matthew R. Perez. "And so what they're asking today from the public is prayers. This has been a almost two-year journey that they've had to deal with. And although they got justice last week, the healing process never stops. And that's what the family is going through right now. It's very difficult to be in the situation when you are essentially face to face with someone that that kills a family member."
DeLeon was sentenced to 45 years in prison.