There were emotional moments inside and outside a Miami-Dade courtroom on Monday as a Kendall father pleaded guilty to manslaughter after shooting and killing his son in 2023.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by 10 years of probation.
David Contreras had been charged initially with 2nd degree murder after the death of 21-year-old Eric Contreras in November 2023.
The fight happened after the family had returned home from a trip to Disney World. David Contreras was arrested at home after calling 911 and telling a dispatcher that he had lost it. He confessed to killing Eric, who was a student at Florida International University.
After David Contreras took a plea, several people gave victim impact statements about their loss.
Eric’s girlfriend testified that “Eric loved to make people laugh. He was friendly to be around. I truly believed he was going to marry me. I had my whole life in front of me. I believed it for me. There was an unspoken prayer answered for me.”
Several of Eric’s friends also gave impact statements.
One friend testified, “During times of hardship, he was there with open arms.”
Another friend testified, “Eric was the type of person that everyone gravitated to. Eric wanted everyone to experience what life had to offer.”
Outside the courtroom, family friend Gus Alfonso said, “Eric was an incredible kid, His life got taken from him way too early. This was an incredibly sad day. His friends and everyone mourns his loss and there is no real justice in a situation like this.”
Family friend Cristina Alfonso said, “He was a kind person. He was joyful. What has happened is really unfair.”
Frank Quintero, the attorney for Contreras, said, “What can you say. His family has been destroyed. There is no way this tragedy can ever be repaired.” He said Contreras’s wife “lost a son and lost a husband.”
He said, “Obviously my client did a horrible thing and he paid the price for it. This is something he will have to live with for the rest of his life. Not just 10 years in prison but for the rest of his life.”
Quintero said Contreras could be eligible to be released from prison in 10 years.
