Two California brothers convicted of beating groom to death with a baseball bat as he tried to protect his guests and bride, hours after he said his vows

Rony Castaneda Ramirez, 31, and his brother Josue Castaneda Ramirez, 22, were convicted of second-degree murder by a jury on Feb. 9, for the 2019 killing of Joe Melgoza

Victim Joe Melgoza, 30, was beaten to death in Chino, California, just hours after marrying his fiancée Esther Bustamante Melgoza on Dec. 14, 2019

Police say the brothers did not know the groom, but lived nearby and showed up to the wedding reception uninvited

Melgoza’s family said the groom confronted the wedding crashers after they got into a fight with some guests 

The Ramirez brothers allegedly left, then returned with baseball bats and attacked Melgoza on a neighboring property 

They brothers will be sentenced on March 13

Two brothers who crashed a wedding in California and beat the groom to death just hours after he said his vows have been convicted of second-degree murder.
Rony Castaneda, 31, and his brother Josue Castaneda, 22, showed up uninvited at the wedding reception for Joe Melgoza and Esther Bustamante Melgoza on what should have been the happiest day in their lives, on December 14, 2019.
The brothers crashed the wedding that was being held in the backyard of Esther’s parents home in Chino, but then left before returning to the party where they attacked the groom with a baseball bat. 

Joe Melgoza and Esther Bustamante Melgoza said their vows on December 14, 2019 at their wedding in Chino, California. shortly after, the groom was attacked and killed.
Just hours after the California couple exchanged their wedding vows, Melgoza was found suffering from a blunt-force trauma to the head, at around 2.20am on the morning of Sunday, December 14, 2019
He was rushed to Chino Valley Medical Center, where he died from his injuries, leaving behind his wife of just a few hours, Esther, and his daughter, who was 11 years old at the time.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office in a Wednesday press release, said two brothers who attended the wedding reception uninvited, only to be thrown after fighting other guests, were convicted of second-degree murder by a jury on February 9 for Melgoza’s death,
Rony Aristides Castaneda Ramirez, 31 and his 22-year-old brother, Josue Daniel Castaneda Ramirez were also found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon for injuries that Melgoza’s brother, Juan Bustamonte, suffered.
Sentencing for the Castaneda Ramirez brothers is scheduled for March 13.

Authorities say the brothers who crashed the wedding did not know Melgoza, but lived not far from the home of his wife’s family in the 13200 block of 17th Street in Chino, California, where the wedding reception was being held, and showed up at the celebration uninvited, reported KTLA5. 
‘They lived nearby and likely heard the festivities and went to the reception,’ the District Attorney’s office said in a release. The brothers were later seen taking part in the reception, dancing and snapping photos with women who were at the party. 
Related Articles:

The brothers left the party, but came back later using a trail behind the home, the DA explained.
The groom reportedly, was not aware the interlopers the wedding party chased away earlier had returned until they stood behind a fence and taunted him, telling him to jump to the other side.
‘Once Melgoza and his family jumped the fence, the brothers began hitting them all with bats and fists,’ the release said.

 ‘A family member was able to pull a bat from one of the Castaneda brothers who ran into an unrelated residence. They were followed by Melgoza, who ran into the yard unarmed. A few minutes later the Castaneda brothers were seen jumping the fence out of the unrelated residence with a single bat, which was never found.’
The younger suspect Josue, told police he was never at the reception, however, a photo booth picture of him and Rony posing with a female guest was found in his front pocket after his arrest, according to the police re[port. 
Snapchat video from that night also helped authorities nab the brothers for the killing. 
‘I commend my colleagues’ dedication to this case and determination to seek justice for a family who endured such unimaginable grief during a time that should be filled love and happiness,’ San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said. 
‘Although this conviction can never undo the pain caused by two individuals’ actions, I hope it brings a measure of closure to the wife and loved ones of Joe Melgoza.’
Melgoza was described by his loved ones as ‘a loving son, brother, father, cousin, partner, family member and friend.’

‘Although this conviction can never undo the pain caused by two individuals’ actions, I hope it brings a measure of closure to the wife and loved ones of Joe Melgoza.’
Melgoza was described by his loved ones as ‘a loving son, brother, father, cousin, partner, family member and friend.’ He had sole custody of his 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
He had married his then-fiancée married in a modest civil ceremony months before the wedding.

‘He always had a way to make you smile. He was there for you at any time to give a helping hand. He was taken from us in such a tragic and horrific way,’ A GoFundMe created after his death reads.
Video recorded at the reception and shared with NBC shows a beaming Melgoza dancing with his beautiful bride and raising a glass with his guests, not knowing at the time the horror ahead. 
‘He leaves behind his daughter Lilly who will be in good hands with Joe’s family,’ the GoFundMe notes.
‘We are asking for your support at this time for Joe’s services and for his little girl Lilly. Isela, Joe’s mom is devastated, heartbroken and is having a hard time processing it all.’