Two Reedley brothers head to prison after coworker's death in Fresno County vineyard

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Cries echoed done a Fresno County courtroom connected Thursday, with Jose Varela's household becoming tearful conscionable arsenic the tribunal gaveled into session.

"Seeing them, I cognize I person to accidental something," Varela's wife, Alyssa, said. "Victor and Vicent, I cognize your guys' name, and you guys bash not cognize mine, and I cognize that you guys person to."

Varela was conscionable 19. He was a father, husband, and farmworker.

He worked alongside the Cerna brothers, pruning vines adjacent Huron astir 4 years ago, erstwhile investigators accidental the men began arguing.

The brothers pulled retired guns.

"It's not fair," Varela's relative Ana said. "He was conscionable moving similar immoderate different worker, and his beingness was taken away. Justice needs to beryllium served."

In court, the brothers each stood gangly arsenic they confronted justice. But for truthful long, they had tried to hide.

Authorities arrested them successful Mexico connected cause charges months aft Varela died.

"These 2 gentlemen did effort to flight justice, and they tried to fly to Mexico, and they were brought back," Judge Geoffrey Wilson said.

In the U.S., they fought the charges for years, each pleading not guilty.

But arsenic prosecutors built their case, the brothers acted unneurotic 1 much time.

Vincent pleaded nary contention to 2 counts of attempted murder, and Victor pleaded nary contention to murder.

He asked to code the court.

"Your honor, I conscionable privation to apologize to the family," Victor said. "Nobody deserves to suffer a household member, a father."

In the gallery, the tears kept flowing.

Several members of Varela's household said they forgave his killers.

"And conscionable however you guys took a life, your beingness should beryllium also," Varela's woman said. "There should beryllium consequences. Deep ones. That's each I person to say."

The brotherly enslaved that landed Victor and Vincent successful occupation is present sending them to Wasco State Prison.

Vincent volition service 9 years, and Victor volition service 25 to life.

"Heartbreaking to perceive from each of you today," the justice said. "Again, knowing the condemnation present is hopefully going to springiness you closure."

As portion of the plea deal, each member agreed to springiness up their close to entreaty their sentence.

Varela's household remains heartbroken, particularly for the man's young daughter, who helium ne'er met. She was calved aft her begetter died.

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