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Man gets life term for killing girl, 10
By Dan Eakin, deakin@starlocalnews.com
A 24-year-old man avoided a life without parole sentence by pleading guilty Monday of the murder of a 10-year-old girl in Carrollton in October 2011.
Jose Sifuentes, who was in the United States illegally at the time of the offense, could possibly be paroled within 30 years after entering a guilty plea.
Jury selection was scheduled to begin Monday morning in a Dallas courtroom. However,
However, Officer Jon Stovall of the Carrollton Police Department said Sifuentes was required to sit and listen Monday afternoon to family members of Jasmen Gonzales, the 10-year-old victim, tell how the murder had upset their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
In October 2011, Sifuentes was accused of taking the girl from a bed in a home in the 1300 block of Walnut Street in Carrollton just before midnight. Lt. Doug Mitchell of the Carrollton Police Department, at a press conference on Nov. 1, 2011, said evidence was gathered to show that Sifuentes should be arrested.
Following an extensive search, the girl’s body was found lying facedown in shrubbery in the back yard of a home near where the she had been visiting relatives. The medical examiner’s office ruled that the girl had died from a stab wound to the chest.
Police also believe the girl had been sexually assaulted.
The girl, who was from Oklahoma City, was visiting relatives in Carrollton when the incident occurred.
Sifuentes had never been charged with capital murder. Police explained that a capital murder charge would have required proof of premeditation.
The case against Sifuentes was prosecuted by Brandon Birmingham. Sifuentes had been scheduled to go to trial earlier this month, but the trial was delayed in order to determine whether he was mentally capable of being on trial.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
chademe wrote on Feb 27, 2013 11:39 AM:
" Another weak plea deal. 30 years is not enough for a man who sexually assaulted and murdered a 10 year old girl. How was this not premeditated if he broke into her house and took her from her bed? The prosecutor and DA should be ashamed for agreeing to this deal. "
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