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Colfax Today
By the People, for the People
Pullman Man Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder in 2024 College Hill Killing
31-year-old Jorge Amezcua admitted to killing 28-year-old Darcy Spracklin inside an abandoned fraternity house on WSU's Greek Row.
Published on Feb. 7, 2026
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Jorge Amezcua of Pullman, Washington pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Friday in the 2024 killing of Darcy Spracklin. The two men were smoking methamphetamine inside an abandoned fraternity house on Washington State University's Greek Row when Amezcua shot and killed Spracklin. Prosecutors dropped a separate methamphetamine possession charge in exchange for Amezcua's guilty plea. The judge delayed sentencing to order a pre-sentence investigation, going against the recommendations of both the prosecution and defense.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of drug abuse and violence in college communities, as well as the complexities of sentencing for violent crimes with no clear motive. The judge's decision to order a pre-sentence investigation suggests he may be considering a sentence outside the standard range, which could impact future plea deals and sentencing recommendations in similar cases.
The details
According to prosecutors, Amezcua and Spracklin were smoking meth inside the abandoned fraternity house when Amezcua shot and killed Spracklin. Deputy Prosecutor Lindsi Alcantar said Amezcua never provided an explanation for the killing. Alcantar recommended Amezcua be sentenced to the bottom of the standard range, which is just over 10 years to more than 18 years in prison. The judge delayed sentencing and ordered a pre-sentence investigation, going against the recommendations of both the prosecution and defense.
- Darcy Spracklin was killed in December 2024 on the Washington State University campus.
- Jorge Amezcua pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Friday, February 7, 2026.
- Amezcua's sentencing was delayed to February 27, 2026 for a pre-sentence investigation.
The players
Jorge Amezcua
A 31-year-old Pullman resident who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2024 killing of Darcy Spracklin.
Darcy Spracklin
A 28-year-old Pullman resident who was killed by Jorge Amezcua inside an abandoned fraternity house on the Washington State University campus in December 2024.
Lindsi Alcantar
The deputy prosecutor who recommended Amezcua be sentenced to the bottom of the standard range for second-degree murder, which is just over 10 years to more than 18 years in prison.
Judge Roger Sandberg
The judge who delayed Amezcua's sentencing to order a pre-sentence investigation, going against the recommendations of both the prosecution and defense.
What they’re saying
“Amezcua never had an explanation for the killing.”
— Lindsi Alcantar, Deputy Prosecutor (dailyfly.com)
What’s next
The judge will sentence Jorge Amezcua on February 27, 2026 after reviewing the results of the pre-sentence investigation.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of drug abuse and violence in college communities, as well as the complexities of sentencing for violent crimes with no clear motive. The judge's decision to order a pre-sentence investigation suggests he may be considering a sentence outside the standard range, which could impact future plea deals and sentencing recommendations in similar cases.
