After recently pleading guilty but mentally to second-degree manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Dante Welch in 2023, Rudolfo Amaya was formally sentenced in Christian Circuit Court Wednesday.
He had been originally charged with murder, but ultimately pled guilty but mentally ill to the amended charge of manslaughter and first-degree wanton endangerment. In court Wednesday, several family members gave victim impact statements, including Welch’s aunt.
She told the court that her family remains tormented by that day, and they will grieve the loss of him for the rest of their lives.
Welch’s oldest sister, says she’s not sure she believes Amaya was truly insane the day the shooting occurred, but now she hopes he spends the rest of his life haunted by what he has done.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Greg Cortese says this case was incredibly complex, and while several are not happy with the outcome, he believes this was a reasonable conclusion.
Judge John Atkins sentenced Amaya to ten years on the manslaughter charge and five years on the wanton endangerment, to be served consecutively for a total of 15 years in prison. He must serve at least 85 percent of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole.