Morataya admits to murder, gets life term in Gomes killing

A Redmond man charged with fatally shooting his former girlfriend changed his plea to aggravated murder and other charges during an emotional sentencing hearing Tuesday afternoon and was sentenced to life in prison, with a possibility of parole after 30 years.

Mario Emanuel Morataya, 23, had pleaded not guilty earlier to aggravated murder, second-degree attempted kidnapping and unlawful use of a weapon in the Dec. 11 killing of Rebekah Gomes, 23.

Prosecutors said Gomes, a mother and preschool teacher, was shot in the back as she fled Morataya, who she was trying to break up with. Morataya was arrested the next day in Mitchell by Wheeler County sheriff’s deputies.

Before Deschutes County Circuit Judge Wells Ashby pronounced sentence, prosecutors told the packed courtroom that Gomes’ 5-year-old son had witnessed his mother’s death. They also said Morataya, a member of the Army National Guard, had said after the shooting, “Someone messes with your mission, you eliminate the target.”

Gomes’ brother called Morataya a “coward” and his sister called her a “loving mom.”

Gomes’ father, Randy Wallace, said, “We can only assume that Mr. Morataya’s selfish, evil thought was: ‘If I can’t have her, no one can.'”

“We are sure that you can imagine the devastation this has brought to our family, to Mr. Morataya’s family, and especially Rebekah’s son, who will forever remember seeing his mother shot down in front of their home,” Wallace said, reading a prepared statement to the judge.

While forgiving Morataya, they also said nothing will ever bring back their daughter.

“I don’t know that the pain o losing Rebekah will ever go away,” mother Deanna Wallace told NewsChannel 21 later.

Morataya showed no emotion during the hearing, staring straight ahead or looking down at the ground for most of it. But when given a chance to speak to the court, he offered an apology, while acknowledging it changes little about the tragedy.

“Apologies, sorry – nothing comes close to what I’m feeling inside,” he said, pausing and sniffling a couple of times before continuing “There’s nothing I can say that can make things better.”

“I take whatever punishment you guys are going to give me,” Morataya added.

Morataya’s attorney, Jacques DeKalb, said his client decided to change his plea after learning that Gomes’ son had witnessed his mother’s killing and would have to testify as a key witness in a murder trial.

For that not to lie ahead, Deanna Wallace said, “There’s a great sense of relief.”

The prosecution laid out their evidence in court, giving a timeline of Morataya’s actions.

Morataya had stolen several items from Gomes, then agreed to return them to her on the fateful night. He asked Gomes to come outside and they got into the car.

Once inside, Morataya showed her the gun, threatening her.

She jumped out of the moving car and, as District Attorney John Hummel later described it, “He then methodically, and with the cold-bloodedness of a contract killer, picked up the shotgun.. As he came around the back of the truck, he lowered the shotgun, took aim and shot Rebekah in the back, killing her.”

Gomes’ parents said the sentencing now is giving them some closure.

“While forgiveness is never easy, I too forgive him,” Deanna Wallace said.

They are remembering their daughter, whom they adopted form a Japanese orphanage when she was 5, as the loving and caring woman she was.

“She was a sweetheart, always happy, always looking on the bright side,” her father said.

They said their daughter always wanted to help others. especially children.

Gomes’ parents said they had warned their daughter about Morotaya, and also confronted Morataya about the issue.

“We suspected that he might hurt her,” Deanna Wallace said.

But Gomes didn’t want to believe it.

“That’s her trusting personality,” the mother recalled.

And as it turned out, they couldn’t stop it from happening.

“I wish I was wrong,” Deanna Wallace said tearfully.

But they will keep Rebekah forever in their hearts.

The tragic events put a spotlight on the issue of domestic violence. If you or someone you love faces such a challenge, there is help, such as Saving Grace. They have a 24-hour hotline at 541-389-7021, and a Website: http://www.saving-grace.org.