A Colorado man, Luke Shelton, pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his employer, John David “Dave” Vieira, and was sentenced to 56 years in prison on August 13, 2024. Shelton’s violent act followed a failed plan to steal his victim’s assets, and the case has left the family and community in shock.
The Murder and Plot to Steal
On January 4, 2024, Shelton, 21, shot and killed 58-year-old John David Vieira while working on Vieira’s property. Shelton had been plotting to kill Vieira, steal his equipment, and share the assets with a co-conspirator.
However, when his plans fell through and he couldn’t wait for his accomplice, Shelton decided to take matters into his own hands.
Shelton admitted to police that an argument between him and Vieira over a truck led to the shooting. He explained that Vieira “pushed me too far” during the dispute, which escalated into violence. After killing Vieira, Shelton buried his body near a tree, hiding the evidence in an excavator.
The Discovery and Apology
Shelton’s co-conspirator, who lived in a truck on Vieira’s property, was the one who called 911 after the murder. When law enforcement arrived, they found a freshly dug grave where Shelton had buried the body.
Body cameras from sheriff’s deputies captured the grim moments when they located Vieira’s body and tried unsuccessfully to revive him.
Shelton apologized multiple times for the murder, expressing regret by stating, “I guess it wasn’t worth murdering over money,” and acknowledging his fate by saying, “I’m going away for a long time.”
Sentencing and Family’s Grief
During Shelton’s sentencing, Vieira’s family spoke in court, including his brother, who expressed the pain of losing a loved one to such a violent act. “It’s unfortunate the State of Colorado has done away with the death penalty,” said Vieira’s brother.
Assistant DA Jessica Waggoner highlighted how Vieira had given Shelton a second chance by offering him a job, only for Shelton to repay him with murder.
The defense argued that Shelton had “snapped” during the incident and showed remorse afterward. His co-counsel noted that Shelton took responsibility for his actions from the beginning but had struggled with the consequences of his crime.
Judge’s Statement and Final Sentence
Delta District Judge Steven Schultz condemned Shelton’s actions, calling them “a truly evil act.” He emphasized that Shelton’s inability to control himself on that day was “unforgivable” and sentenced him to 56 years in prison—48 years for second-degree murder and 8 years for tampering with a human body.
The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively, making the total time in prison 56 years.
This tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of impulsive violence and betrayal, leaving the victim’s family to cope with an unimaginable loss.
