LANCASTER, PA — Ezequiel Almodovar, a 39-year-old resident of Hunsecker Road in Bird-In-Hand, was sentenced on Wednesday to two life terms without parole, plus an additional 46 months to 13 years in prison by President Judge David Ashworth in Lancaster County Court. The sentencing comes after Almodovar’s conviction by a jury for the murders of Jonathan Rivera and Eugenio Morales-Torres.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Miller had requested two life sentences for the homicides of each victim, as well as consecutive sentences for recklessly burning, abuse of corpse, and tampering with evidence. The defense counsel argued for a single sentence of life in prison without parole, arguing it would satisfy the prosecution’s points.
Almodovar, during his opportunity to speak, claimed he had fought for his life that night, stating, “I know I’m looked at as a monster, but nobody was there at the top of the driveway that night. I fought for my life.” However, Judge Ashworth disagreed, pointing out, “It wouldn’t be appropriate to sentence you to one life sentence when you took two lives.”
Throughout the trial, Almodovar blamed the victims for their own deaths, his trial counsel for the guilty verdict, and attempted to manipulate the justice system. Judge Ashworth noted that Almodovar never took responsibility for his actions and only showed remorse for having been convicted. He also mentioned Almodovar’s prior record score, which showed multiple convictions for drug dealing.
The case began on July 27, 2020, when East Lampeter Township Police received a call about the disappearance of Rivera and Morales-Torres. The caller reported they had gone to visit a friend known as “Zeke,” another name Almodovar went by. She reported seeing him in his driveway with blood on his shirt and Morales-Torres’ Ford F-150 parked nearby.
The next morning, Manor Township Police Department found a burned pick-up truck with charred human remains of two individuals in the bed of the truck. The vehicle was identified as belonging to Morales-Torres. The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office identified the bodies as Rivera and Morales-Torres, both shot in the back.
Evidence presented by the Commonwealth included reports of Almodovar’s neighbors hearing multiple gunshots at the time of the shooting, firearm shell casings found on his driveway, and a bag of blood discovered in his garage.
In response to the defense’s argument of self-defense, Miller pointed out inconsistencies in Almodovar’s testimony, including his attempts to destroy evidence and create an alibi. The jury returned its verdict within two hours on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
Detective Scott Eelman of the East Lampeter Township Police filed charges and testified, attending the entirety of the trial. The Pennsylvania State Police, Manor Township Police, and Lancaster County Detectives assisted in the investigation. Two members of Rivera’s family also spoke during the proceeding.
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