Jun. 6—A man was sentenced to 24 1/2 years in prison Friday in a fatal argument at a Northeast Albuquerque tavern that began with a dispute over a pool table.
Jeremy Saiz, 31, pleaded guilty in April to charges of second-degree murder in the Nov. 27, 2024, shooting death of 38-year-old James Silver. Saiz also pleaded guilty to unlawful carrying of a firearm in a liquor establishment, court records show.
Second Judicial District Judge Clara Moran sentenced Saiz to the top end of the sentencing range of 15 to 24 1/2 years in prison called for in the plea agreement.
Albuquerque police responded about 10 p.m. to a shooting at the Dragonhorn Tavern, 2906 Juan Tabo NE, where they found Silver deceased with a gunshot wound to his chest, according to a criminal complaint filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court.
Saiz, an employee at the tavern, was playing pool alone when Silver approached him and asked to join the game, another employee told police. Saiz refused, resulting in an argument, the complaint said. Both men then exited the tavern, the witness told police.
Police reviewed security video that showed Silver exiting the front door of the business, the complaint said.
Moments later, Saiz walked from the back of the building to the front door with his right hand in his sweatshirt holding a black object, the video showed.
Saiz followed Silver out the front door, and about five seconds later a single gunshot was heard outside the building, the complaint said.
Saiz reentered the tavern holding a black handgun, which he shoved back into his sweatshirt pocket, and walked toward the rear of the tavern, it said.
Silver then stumbled back into the tavern and collapsed, it said.