Maria Pacheco guilty of first degree murder

MARSHALL, Ill. (WTHI) - Maria Pacheco, 16, has been found guilty of first degree murder, robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle. The jury deliberated for 25 minutes. Maria Pacheco is guilty of the murder in the death of her uncle Arnulfo Pacheco of Marshall, Illinois.

While Maria did not physically kill Arnulfo Pacheco, the law says she is responsible since she plotted, planned and lured him to the home to be killed.

Pacheco's sentencing is scheduled for March 17th. She faces up to 74 years in prison.

Pacheco's former boyfriend, Jarrod Riley, plead guilty last month to the murder of Arnulfo Pacheco.

Thursday was the second day of the trial and Riley took the stand verifying text message conversations between himself and Maria Pacheco.

The text messages show the two planned to attack and rob Maria's uncle, Arnulfo Pacheco, for days.

Then, the day before the murder, the plan changed.

Riley testified Maria claimed her uncle had been touching her inappropriately. 

Then the two decided via text messages to kill Arnulfo Pacheco.

In the texts Maria says she is "happy" and "excited."

Riley said he has no information or knowledge whether Maria's allegations against her uncle were true.

He also detailed the brutal murder of Arnulfo Pacheco saying he used a hammer, VCR and glass table top to kill him.

Riley said after the murder he and Maria drove to Plainfield, Indiana where they ate lunch and disposed of evidence. The two then drove to Tennessee where they stayed at a motel for three nights, going out to eat and to the movies.

Riley said, after talking with his lawyer, he believes there was no proof of inappropriate touching between Arnulfo Pacheco and his niece Maria. Riley said then he wanted to "tell the truth" and testify.

Riley still awaits sentencing in the murder.

On Friday, Maria took the stand in her own defense. She testified that Jarrod Riley planned to rob and attack Arnulfo. She says she agreed to it because she was scared of Riley.

Maria also testified that Riley told her that Arnulfo had been touching her sisters and that's why he deserved it.

The defense argues Riley changed his story from his initial statements to police to today on the stand.

Defense attorney argues Riley may be hoping for leniency in his upcoming sentencing.

News 10's Amanda Jarrett is covering the trial and will have more on this story tonight at 6/5 central.