Jury finds woman guilty in 2009 slaying of South Dakota teen

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A woman was convicted Thursday of killing a potential romantic rival in South Dakota and could face life in prison for a crime authorities say she committed when she was 15-years-old.

A jury in Sioux Falls 20-year-old Maricela Diaz guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping and arson Thursday in the November 2009 death of 16-year-old Jasmine Guevara. Diaz, a Mexican national, was tried in adult court but cannot be sentenced to death because of her age at the time of the crime.

Prosecutors said Diaz and boyfriend Alexander Salgado lured Guevara to a remote site near Mitchell, stabbed her and left her to die in the trunk of a burning car. An autopsy determined the fire killed Guevara.

Authorities alleged that Diaz, who has a child with Salgado, had become jealous of a developing relationship between Salgado and Guevara.

"Maricela decides to eliminate this competition, permanently," James Davies, Hanson County state's attorney, said during closing arguments. "One of the only friends she has in Mitchell was soon to be gone."

Diaz's attorneys, however, argued that she was herself a victim of Salgado and outlined the sexual and physical abuse that Salgado allegedly inflicted on her, beginning at age 13.

The Argus Leader reported that Chris Nipe, an attorney for Diaz, said his client couldn't have planned Guevara's killing, but Salgado - whom authorities accuse of being a gang member - could.

"Seriously, a 15-year-old told a gang member what to do? A girl that was physically beaten told him what to do?" Nipe said. "You think that the sophisticated plan came from the 15-year-old wearing the Eeyore sweatshirt?"

Salgado is serving a life sentence after pleading guilty in the case. As part of his plea deal, he was to testify against Diaz.. When he took the stand, he said he was Guevara's lone killer.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said he would review Salgado's plea deal to determine whether he violated it.

A sentencing hearing for Salgado has not been scheduled.

Salgado is also a Mexican national. He and Diaz are in the U.S. illegally.