Midland jury convicts teen of murder; sentenced to 75 years

MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - A jury in the 385th District Court convicted 19-year-old Daniel Velasquez of murder Friday following a weeklong trial.

According to the Midland County District Attorney, Velasquez was sentenced to 75 years in prison.

Velasquez faced a possible sentence ranging from five to 99 years or life in prison.

He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.

Prosecutors said Velasquez and a co-defendant, 18-year-old Joe Daniel “JD” Gutierrez, shot and killed 22-year-old Savanna Corrine Callaway Jolley during a gang-related drive-by shooting at a late-night party on Howard Drive on Oct. 19, 2024.

The release says, Jolley was a bystander and not involved in the altercation.

Gutierrez pleaded guilty in October and was sentenced to 35 years in prison as part of a plea agreement.