Man sentenced to prison for killing liquor store clerk

Antonio Duenas was found guilty by a jury in January for first-degree murder, armed robbery, burglary and conspiracy for the death of Arthur Miller, 62.

Before being sentenced by District Judge Linda Bell, Duenas apologized to Miller’s family and to his own family. Miller’s wife and daughters made tearful statements to the judge. One daughter said Duenas didn’t intend to kill her father when he went to the store.

Deputy Public Defender Scott Coffee said, “This is a tragedy for everybody involved. This was all about a robbery that went bad.”

Duenas and Michael Cruz robbed the Loco Liquor, 4915 Pearlite Ave., near Tropicana Avenue and Mountain Vista Street, when Miller was shot.

Miller exchanged gunfire with the robbers, hitting Duenas. Miller died from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.

Cruz pleaded guilty in March 2010 to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 21 years to life in prison.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.