In the dimly lit courtroom, the air was thick with tension and anticipation. All eyes were on Joseph Tejeda as he stood before the judge, the gravity of his crimes pressing down on him. With a somber expression, Tejeda pleaded guilty to murder, burglary with intent to commit aggravated robbery, and assault on a public servant. The plea deal offered a combined sentence of 25 years for murder, 20 years for burglary, and 20 years for assault, to be served concurrently. Factoring in time already served, Tejeda faced the prospect of 18 more years behind bars.