A Texas man was sentenced to probation on Wednesday for actions that led to the death of a teenage boy who dumped feces on his doorstep in 2022.
Xavier Zarate will serve 10 years of probation in Brett Cardenas’ death as part of a plea deal with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, Fox 7 reported.
“One thing I believe is that you will live in your own prison,” said the girl’s mother, Dona Cárdenas, who addressed Zarate in court after the sentencing. .
The incident took place on April 10, 2022, when media outlets reported that two 13-year-old boys threw feces at Zarate’s doorstep. Zarate told police he had ongoing issues with the teens.
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Xavier Zarate will serve 10 years of probation due to the death of Brett Cardenas in April 2022. (Austin Police Department)
After chasing the teens in his car, he got out of the car and hit one of them. However, he forgot to put the car in park and the car overturned over Cardenas. The boy later died at the hospital.
”Do you know what it’s like when there’s silence and you want to scream, you want to hear someone’s voice?” said her sister Kaylee Ana Cardenas.
In court, Zarate apologized to the family and said his actions were “not out of malice. It was an accident, but that doesn’t matter. Brett is not here today, but I take full responsibility for it.” I will accept the offer.” I have a responsibility to that judge, and I will be fighting this issue for the rest of my life. ”
“In a better world, if you killed a 13-year-old boy, perhaps in a fit of anger, you should be in prison,” Felix Cardenas, the boy’s brother, said in court. “But there was still a risk of him getting less than what he got. So we just wanted to end this matter.”
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The Travis County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that it sympathized with the boy’s family and defended Zarate’s sentence.
“Our hearts go out to the family who tragically lost their young son. Our office approaches all cases in the same way. We take the time to We will review the facts of the case, work with the family, and consider what we can do.” The prosecutor’s office said this was done to ensure the defendant is held accountable for his actions, adding: “We will never bring back the child who lost his life.” “No, but this ruling ensures that the defendant is accountable for his two felony convictions and is subject to court supervision.” Over a long period of time, justice would be served with a final conviction in which the defendant could pay restitution and the defendant would waive his right to appeal. ”
The showdown between Xavier Zarate and Brett Cardenas took place in Austin, Texas. (Reuters/Brian Snyder)
Zarate’s attorney said his client is in “deep sorrow” and prays for the Cárdenas family every day.
“While there was nothing that could be done in court today that could bring Brett back, by Xavier accepting responsibility for his actions, this resolution moves toward healing for everyone,” attorney Rick Flores said in a statement. I hope that this effort will bring some closure.”
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As part of his probation, Zarate will be required to complete 300 hours of community service, attend therapy and group anger management, and pay approximately $17,000 in restitution to his family.
