A BRONX MAN IS SENTENCED TO A TERM OF UP TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR THE DOUBLE MURDER OF AN ELDERLY COUPLE

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that Jose Colon, 20, has been sentenced to term of up to life imprisonment in the December 1999 shooting death of an elderly couple.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice William Mogulescu sentenced Colon, of 817 Harding Park, Bronx, to consecutive terms of 15 years to life for the murder of each of the two victims. Colon must serve a minimum of 30 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Colon, pled guilty last year to 2 counts of Murder in the 2nd degree in the deaths of Carlos and Antonia Pena.

Co-defendant David Rodriguez, 18, of 1800 Muliner Street, Bronx, who also pled guilty last year to 2 counts of Murder in the 2nd degree, was sentenced to concurrent terms of 20 years to life last month.

The murders occurred on December 10, 1999 when Rodriguez and Colon knocked on the door of Mr. & Mrs. Pena at 1965 Lafayette Avenue. Mrs. Pena who sold jewelry from her home, knew the defendants, and opened her door. Colon kicked the door in and shot Mrs. Pena with a .22 caliber rifle, striking her in the left arm and torso. Colon then saw Mr. Pena and shot him several times, striking him in the head and neck. Colon returned to the screaming Mrs. Pena, and shot her in the head.

After the murders the defendants took two bags filled with jewelry and fled the scene. Colon and Rodriguez hid the gun a couple of blocks away on Turnbull Avenue behind a dumpster, then went to the YU&M Jewelry store where they pawned some of the stolen jewelry. Later that night while attending a birthday party, the defendants were heard bragging about the murders; partygoers later called the police.

Colon was arrested the following day with some of the stolen jewelry in his possession. Rodriguez was also arrested the next day in front of his home. A search warrant was executed at the home of Rodriguez, which yielded several pieces of stolen jewelry wrapped up as presents.

Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Theresa A. Gottlieb prosecuted both cases.