Man Pleads Guilty to Tyler Teen’s Shooting Death During 2021 Robbery, Gets Life in Prison

Tyler, TX - July 5, 2023 - Andres Urrutia pleaded guilty to capital murder in Judge Austin Reeve Jackson’s Court and has received life in prison. Urrutia pleaded guilty to the murder of 17-year-old Jesse McNeely, who was shot when Urrutia attempted to rob McNeely and a friend with the help of two others.

On the morning of June 30, 2021, Andres Urrutia, Lorenzo L. Martinez, and Jason Rhodes pulled up to Jesse McNeely’s residence, who was outside talking to a friend. One of the men got out of the vehicle brandishing a gun, asking McNeely and his friend for their belongings. They began fighting back, and during the struggle, McNeely was shot. After McNeely was shot and killed, Urrutia, Martinez, and Rhodes fled the scene and then were later arrested.

Lorenzo L. Martinez has also been charged with capital murder, and Jason Rhodes remains in jail with no formal charges.

Related Media Links: Man pleads guilty to Tyler teen’s shooting death during 2021 robbery, gets life in prison Suspects in Tyler teen’s shooting death tried to rob the victim, his friend