Convicted murderer Domingo Mendiola sat across the courtroom from the family of the woman he admits he robbed and killed on Valentine’s Day in 2024.

“If you guys don’t ever forgive me, I understand. because I will never forgive myself for what has happened. Sorry,” said Mendiola. 

Mendiola showed remorse moments after he pleaded guilty to murder and special allegation possession and use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony.

Mendiola took the prosecutor’s plea deal agreeing to testify against his co-actors.

Among them, defendant Johnny Atalig, who Mendiola's defense attorney mentioned while reading the plea agreement in court. 

“Both defendants, Domingo Chargualaf Mendiola and Johnny Borja Atalig were armed with firearms provided by Johnny Borja Atalig,” said Defense Attorney Jehan’Ad G. Martinez. “During the robbery, Johnny Borja Atalig and Domingo Chargualaf Mendiola discharged a projectile into the body of Sumittra Lairopi for the purpose of accomplishing the robbery.”

The robbery, investigators say, happened outside of the Thai Thai Restaurant in Tamuning on Feb. 14 of last year.

The motive: To help Mendiola pay off a drug debt.

A hearing date for Atalig has not yet been set.

Additionally, co-defendant Jenna Manibusan still awaits her day in court.

On Monday morning, Superior Court of Guam Presiding Judge Alberto Lamorena sentenced Mendiola to life with the possibility of parole after 40 years.

By then, Mendiola will be 77–years-old.