Angel Caldera
KINGMAN – Judge Billy Sipe noted his support for the 2nd Amendment but also expressed disdain for weapons related offenses requiring him to send increasing numbers of people to prison. Sipe’s remarks came Friday, May 27, when he sent a Lake Havasu City man to the Arizona Department of Corrections.
A Mohave County Superior Court jury convicted Angel Caldera, 23, of manslaughter when his trial concluded April 26.
There was no dispute that Caldera had kicked the victim, Arnell Bell, 19, out of a residence at 2595 McCulloch Boulevard N over a rent dispute. It was also uncontested that the pair scuffled before Caldera opened fire on May 17, 2023.
Defense attorney Jonathan Robinson said Caldera has no prior convictions and enjoys strong family support. Prosecutor Leah Nelson said the taking of Bell’s life is a “horrific tragedy.”
Judge Sipe noted the jury rejected Caldera’s claim of self-defense and that the Medical Examiner testified that Bell sustained a dozen gunshot wounds, many of them in the back. He said Caldera worked at a Lake Havasu gun store and is trained in the handling of firearms.
Sipe said Caldera could have displayed the weapon to stop the fight, but that it was criminal to simply empty his firearm on Bell.
“The victim was unarmed and you should know that you can’t shoot and kill an unarmed man,” Sipe said.
The judge said he anticipated the trial outcome with the jury rejecting second-degree murder in favor of a manslaughter conviction. While Robinson and Nelson argued for lower and upper tiers within a 7-21 year range of prison punishment, Judge Sipe settled on 15 years for Caldera.
The Court said it has grown weary of firearms offenses requiring prison terms.
“I’d like to see this stop,” Sipe said emphatically. “I’d love to stop sending people to prison for unlawful use of firearms.”
