Fresno couple sentenced for murder of woman and 3-week-old baby

A complex and deadly family drama that unraveled in Fresno courtrooms for years came to an end Wednesday.

“I would have to say this is an absolute family tragedy,” Fresno County Superior Court Judge Brian Alvarez said.

Yarelly convicted Solorio-Rivera of two counts of murder. The 25-year-old is now preparing to serve two life sentences in prison.

“He made an agreement with the state and the court will follow it,” Judge Alvarez said. “He avoided the potential death penalty.”

Prosecutors say Solorio-Rivera shot and killed his 18-year-old sister, Yanelly, in 2022, and then her sister’s younger daughter, who was three weeks old.

Solorio-Rivera’s defense attorney said the woman reached her breaking point after Yanelly threatened to harm her children.

“He’s not that malicious of a killer,” said defense attorney Curtis Sok. “This was done out of love for her children and for the safety of her children.”

But researchers have long painted a very different picture.

They say the woman was jealous of her sister and the newborn baby and worked with her boyfriend, Martin Arroyo-Morales, to plan the murders.

He will now serve 22 years in prison for premeditated murder.

Since the victim’s family is also the defendant’s family, Solorio-Rivera’s father came forward to support him.

“I came here today to accompany my daughter,” he said through a Spanish translator.

She directly blamed her boyfriend.

The father said, “I believe that you and the prosecutor made the wrong decision when you wanted to send my daughter to prison for life, while she was the one to blame for all this.”

There was no one in court to speak on behalf of the two young victims, and neither defendant said a word.

“Yes, he is remorseful,” Sok told Action News. “He’s very sorry. He knows it could have been better.”

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