Man pleads no contest to 2008 beating death of friend

Alex Quintana, a 22-year-old Latino, pleaded no contest last week to the charge of first-degree murder in the death of Fernando Garcia, a 21-year-old Latino, according to a Los Angeles County district attorney's news release.

Prosecutor Hubert Yun said Quintana admitted to the "allegation that the murder was done willfully, deliberately and with premeditation." The defendant also confessed to using a sledgehammer during the killing. 

Authorities allege that on Nov. 17, 2008, Quintana bound his friend Garcia's wrists with a power cord from a video game console, and then hit him several times with the sledgehammer.

He then wrapped the victim's body in blankets and left him in a trash can at a residence in Boyle Heights.

According to police, the hammer was found on a dresser in the garage where Garcia was killed.

After the killing, Quintana fled to Nevada, but was arrested more than a week later. He was linked to the murder when DNA analysis confirmed that Garcia's blood was on his shoes, officials said.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald Rose said Quintana will be sentenced March 1. He faces a minimum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison.

-- Sarah Ardalani

Top photo: Fernando Garcia. Credit: LAPD. Bottom photo: Adam Quintana booking photo. Credit: LAPD