Ever Rafael Cruz, 26, appeared before the Loudoun County Circuit Court for sentencing after a jury previously convicted him of one count of Second-Degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Malicious Wounding. The Honorable Stephen E. Sincavage sentenced Cruz to serve an active period of incarceration of 20 years in the Virginia Department of Corrections.
Cruz was found guilty of the offenses on August 16, 2024, after a five-day jury trial. Christina Brady, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Anna Hammond, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, and Patrick Stewart, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, represented the Commonwealth.
In the early morning hours of August 14, 2023, an altercation broke out between Cruz and Pedro Casalez Cala in an Ashburn apartment complex dog park. Cruz struck Cala on the head. He continued to punch and stomp him after he was on the ground and did not stop until Cala appeared lifeless. Cruz fled the scene but was apprehended the following day in Maryland. Cala was transported to a hospital where he remained until he succumbed to his injuries six days later.
“Thanks to the tireless investigation carried out by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, this dangerous individual was successfully apprehended and prosecuted,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson.
During the sentencing hearing, friends and family of Pedro Casalez Cala testified about the impact that he had on their lives, “we will always keep his memory in our hearts … he worked every day except for 1 day a week—Pedro worked so much because he had so many dreams that he wanted to fulfill.” When arguing for a lengthy prison term, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Anna Hammond stated that “based on the brutality … acts to distance himself until the Commonwealth had him cornered with evidence … then claimed self-defense … only injuries Cruz sustained were bruises to his feet and hands … beat and stomped Pedro to death … [Cruz] was set off by someone being near his girlfriend and beat him to death … he cannot be released into society … I am seeking the maximum punishment.”
Before he pronounced Cruz’s sentence, Judge Sincavage said, “these occasions where there has been a loss of life is a sad day for all involved … the jury found the evidence showed you caused the death, and that it was not self-defense, and you acted with malice … the evidence supports the assault laid upon the victim was brutal … our society recognizes life as precious … the guidelines do not account for the death, the suffering that was inflicted.” Cruz was sentenced to 40 years on each count, with 20 suspended, to be served concurrently.
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