California Teen Sentenced For Killing Girl, Her Parents After Being Caught In Her Bedroom

A California man pleaded guilty to killing a 16-year-old girl, her mother and stepfather after he was caught with her in her bedroom.

Mauricio Johnson, 19, received a 150-year prison sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty to the triple murder of Nikki Metcalf, 40, Margarett Moon, 40, and Shelly Moon, 16, on Feb. 9, the Associated Press reported.

Shelly’s 13-year-old sister had called the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office around 8.12 a.m. on Feb. 10, and told the dispatcher "her mother, sister, and father were bleeding out" at their home in Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria Reservation.

The 13-year-old later told the authorities her sister Shelly had some of her friends and cousins over on Feb. 9. Margarett had caught the teens drinking around 3 a.m. on Feb. 10, and was upset, due to which, most people soon left the home.

Metcalf had then walked into Shelly’s room, and found Mauricio in an "intimate" position with her. The stepfather then hit Mauricio, who ran from the room with his pants down, the New York Post reported.

At some point, Mauricio pulled a gun out of his backpack and shot Metcalf. The gunfire noise woke up Margarett, who walked into the living room, and was shot by Mauricio. He then shot Shelly "because he did not want to have any witnesses," the arrest warrant obtained by the Mercury News stated.

The suspect’s brother, Damon Johnson, told the detectives he came home Feb. 10 early morning “in a panic,” and had blood on his clothes. Initially, Mauricio told his brother he had shot someone. Later, he clarified he shot multiple people. Mauricio then fled the state, but was arrested by troopers with the Utah Highway Patrol on Feb. 11.

According to the prosecutors, Mauricio’s attorney made a plea offer, due to which the current sentencing would mean the defendant will have a parole hearing in 25 years.

If the case had gone to trial and a jury found Mauricio guilty of the first-degree murder and additional charges then he would have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, the District Attorney’s office said it accepted the plea deal after considering many factors, including the fact that a trial would mean young people "who have suffered a tragedy" have to testify.

“On the point about California law, youthful offenders all currently receive a parole hearing in their 25th year of incarceration, unless they are serving life without the possibility of parole,” the DA statement said.

Mauricio’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 24.