With family members crying, Jesus Hernandez pleaded guilty in the 4th District Court on Wednesday to shooting his boss at a Lehi construction site January 2004.

Initially, Hernandez was charged with a first-degree felony murder, obstruction of justice and the purchase and possession of a dangerous weapon. After Hernandez decided to plea guilty to the murder, the prosecution dropped the other two charges.

Prior to the trial, a competency hearing was delayed twice while attorneys waited for psychiatrists to evaluate Hernandez’ mental state to make sure he was mentally fit for trial. Two psychiatrists confirmed he is.

Hernandez, an illegal alien who has been living in West Valley with his wife and three daughters since 1999, was confined to jail after the murder on a $500,000 cash-only bail.

Now Hernandez awaits sentencing, May 3, which for murder is a maximum of five years to life in prison and a $15,000 fine.

During the Wednesday proceedings, Judge Samuel McVey questioned whether Hernandez thought the shooting was justifiable and audience members perked their ears as Hernandez responded.

“I think it was – but that’s my opinion,” Hernandez said. “The law says differently.”

On Jan. 9, 2004, after arguing with his boss Joseph Crummy about $1,300 Crummy owed him from three weeks of work, Hernandez walked to his car grabbed a handgun and shot Crummy twice.

In a court report, Dana M. Facemeyer, Hernandez’ attorney, said because Hernandez had not been paid, he resorted to selling his tools at pawn value to provide financially for his family.

He said Hernandez had already gone to the Department of Workforce Services and was treated rudely. After Crummy found out about it, he told Hernandez he would not be paid.

According to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services, three bullet holes marred the front window of Crummy’s car and investigators found six empty .22-caliber shells.

Crummy was shot in the head and lower part of the shoulder.

Hernandez fled the scene and police later found him at his parent’s Taylorsville home with the help of a witness.

Police spoke with Hernandez on the phone prior to his arrest at which time he requested to give himself up peacefully.

Hernandez told police where he left the gun and it was later retrieved near the Jordan River.