| Four Men Convicted in 2021 San Pedro Spearfishing Attack |
| Fri, October 23, 2026 |
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Back in 2021, four brothers went spearfishing, but only three returned home. Six months later, a second brother died as a result of the incident.
Jerry and Kirian Espat, along with their two brothers, came under fire five years ago. Their boat was pursued and shot at. Jerry Espat was killed on the spot, and later, Kirian Espat died from dry lungs after he inhaled water during the incident. He had told us at the time he was forced to take cover under the hull of the boat.
Today, four men were found guilty. Gabriel Villafranco and Carlos Salazar were convicted of Espat's murder as well as the attempted murder of Kirian Espat. Pedro Tun and Delsin Paguada were also found guilty of the attempted murder of Ricardo Santoya and Luis Santoya.
The sentencing of the men was adjourned for a later date. One of the men who were initially charged, Sergio Tun, was found not guilty, and Justice Candace Nanton explained that only one witness identified him and it was not sufficient evidence.
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