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Rival Slain After Affair Ends: 20 Years Prison
18 Aug
Summary
- Man sentenced to 20 years for fatal shooting of romantic rival.
- Killing occurred after victim's wife ended affair with defendant.
- Sentence includes five years of post-release supervision.
Pedro Mercado, 54, received a 20-year prison sentence for fatally shooting his romantic rival, Joshua Antonetti. The crime occurred on September 4, 2023, when Mercado attacked Antonetti in an apartment building's parking lot, using a weapon to beat and shoot him in the head.
Antonetti was rushed to the hospital and tragically died the following day. The motive for the attack stemmed from a recent end to an affair between Mercado and the victim's wife. This relationship's termination immediately preceded the fatal encounter.
District Attorney Clark stated that Mercado could not accept the end of the affair. The DA described the act as one of uncontrolled rage, leading to the death of a beloved family member. In addition to his prison term, Mercado faces five years of supervised release upon completion of his sentence.
