A Colorado judge sentenced Joseph Castorena to life in prison without parole this week, delivering harsh words for the defendant. Judge David Karpel called Castorena “an insignificant little man with a big gun” during the sentencing.
Karpel highlighted that Castorena’s violent need for control over people in his life was a stark contrast to other defendants who sometimes claimed they had simply made mistakes. The judge made it clear that Castorena’s violent legacy would eventually be forgotten.
The crimes occurred on October 30, 2022, when Castorena broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home in Aurora, Colorado, despite a restraining order against him. He waited for his ex-girlfriend, Jessica Serrano, and her family to return home from a party.
Colorado Man Sentenced to Life for Killing Four, Judge Condemns ‘Violent Need for Control’
Once inside, Castorena killed her twin sister, Maria Anita Serrano, her sister’s husband, Kenneth Luque, their father, Jesus Serrano, and a family friend, Rudolfo Perez, who lived on the property and came to investigate after hearing the gunshots.
During the attack, Castorena reportedly intended to kill his ex-girlfriend, Jessica, but ran out of bullets before he could carry out the threat. After the murders, Castorena fled to Mexico. Authorities captured him in December 2022, and he was extradited to Colorado in March 2023 to face charges for the killings.
Earlier this year, Castorena was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and the attempted murder of Jessica Serrano. Along with the life sentence for the murders, he was also given 24 years for the attempted murder, although the sentence will run concurrently with the life term. Castorena will remain in prison for the rest of his life without the possibility of parole.
Prosecutors told the court that Castorena never expressed remorse for his crimes, even blaming his ex-girlfriend for the murders throughout the trial. His lack of accountability and refusal to accept responsibility were central points during the sentencing hearing, further solidifying the judge’s condemnation of his actions.
