Texas man sentenced for killing 17-year-old friend during sleepover

CYPRESS, Texas (TCN) -- A 21-year-old high school dropout will spend decades in prison for fatally shooting his friend multiple times during a sleepover at the man’s house in 2021.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced that a judge sentenced James Sotelo on Friday, July 19, to 40 years in prison for the murder of Corey Thompson, as well as two years for deadly conduct after a stray bullet struck the defendant’s brother. The sentences will run concurrently, and Sotelo must serve at least half of his term before parole eligibility. Sotelo underwent a monthslong presentence investigation after a jury convicted him of the charges in November 2023.

On March 20, 2021, Thompson, who was 17 years old at the time, was spending the night at the home of then-18-year-old Sotelo. As Thompson tried to go to bed at around 3 a.m., Sotelo reportedly shot at his friend at least 13 times with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, and investigators determined Thompson had been struck 11 times, including in his back.

One bullet reportedly pierced through the wall and hit Sotelo’s brother in the face while he was sleeping. The brother survived his injuries.

According to KRIV-TV, at the time, Sotelo was out on bond for assault.

Sotelo reportedly claimed he shot his friend because Thompson physically assaulted him while he was sleeping. However, Thompson’s mother allegedly said, "Of course that’s not true because every gunshot that he had was sustained from the back. Eleven of them."

Assistant District Attorney Kyle Tucker said prosecutors sought a 50-year sentence, adding, "According to the defendant, he wasn’t intoxicated or under the influence of any drugs, which makes deliberately pulling the trigger 13 times that much worse."

Ogg said, "There was absolutely no reason for this cold-blooded murder, so we know this man is a danger to the community."

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