Sentencing in Murder Case

WCDA Releases Results of Murder Prosecution - Defendant Sentenced to Life Term for February, 2016 Shooting

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has announced that Anthony Roy Galbraith, 35, has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the shooting death of a Reno man on February 17, 2016, in South Reno.  Galbraith pled guilty in August to one count of First Degree Murder and based on the sentence must serve a minimum of 20 years in prison before parole eligibility begins.

On the date of the shooting, the Reno Police Department (RPD) responded to a report of shots fired at the Ponderosa Trailer Park on Kietzke Lane around 7:00 p.m.  When officers arrived, they located Ralph John Lopez (45), lying just inside the entrance of the trailer park.  Lopez suffered several gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body and, despite life-saving measures, was pronounced dead on scene by emergency medical personnel.

RPD Robbery Homicide Detectives responded to investigate and discovered Galbraith had sent several threatening text messages to Lopez asking to meet him at Yori Park.  Once Lopez arrived, Galbraith shot him three times with a 9mm handgun and then fled in a previously stolen vehicle.  RPD Detectives located Galbraith the next day in the stolen vehicle and after a foot pursuit were able to take Galbraith into custody.

This office subsequently filed formal criminal charges against Galbraith for open murder.  

At sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Nickolas Graham highlighted a statement provided by one of the victim’s adult daughters who stated she would never forgive Galbraith for the pain he caused their family by murdering their father.