x
Breaking News
More () »

Man found guilty in shooting homicide of transgender woman sentenced to prison

Jace Montange was convicted on charges of murder and engaging in organized criminal activity.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A two-year long murder case wrapped up Monday in the Nueces County Courthouse.

Four defendants have now received their punishments. All were accused in the brutal murder of a 47-year-old transgender woman from Robstown, Texas. She was shot upwards of 17 times.

On Monday, the last of the defendants was sentenced to a lengthy prison term.

"The worst of the human condition was met with the best of jury service," First Assistant District Attorney Matt Manning said.

Manning summarized the horrifying case. 22-year-old Jace Montange was convicted Friday on charges of murder and engaging in organized criminal activity.

After a few hours of jury deliberation Monday, a punishment was reached.

"What was appropriate here was in this case, 46 years on murder and 25 years on engaging," Manning said.

It was back in October of 2017 when prosecutors say Montange and three other suspects shot 47-year-old Stephanie Montez during an argument over $20.

"We got justice for Elizabeth Stephanie Montez. We got a total of 301 years of prison time on these three co-defendants who carried out, planned, executed a brutal murder," Assistant District Attorney Jared Horten said.

36-year-old Chloe Huehlefeld was handed a 40-year sentence. She allegedly fired the first shot at Montez but as evidence proved, the murder turned gruesome.

Montange then took the gun.

"Of the sixteen or 17 shots that were fired, he fired fifteen or sixteen of them," Manning said.

39-year-old Cedric Green was sentenced to two 65-year prison terms.

Randy Dorsey made a plea deal with prosecutors.

"This office is doing everything we can to prosecute these violent crimes. We will come for you," Horten said.

Before You Leave, Check This Out