A Texas mother tried to take the blame for her husband’s stabbing death, but her teenage son stopped her and reportedly admitted to the crime himself.
Raymundo Morales, 19, told El Paso police, “I killed my stepdad” after they questioned him early in the morning on January 12... Continue reading here ▶
According to court documents obtained by KTSM, a local NBC affiliate, a family gathering turned violent when Morales allegedly stabbed Angel Martin Herrera, 40, in the neck after a verbal argument.
Witnesses at the gathering, which involved heavy drinking, said Morales got angry with someone and choked and hit her. Herrera confronted Morales about his actions, and they got into a verbal fight.
Police were first called to the El Paso home around 3:30 a.m. for the argument. After finding no one was hurt, they left. However, they were called back 30 minutes later when a stabbing was reported at the same address.
The documents say that the argument between Morales and Herrera escalated, and Morales grabbed a knife, allegedly stabbing his stepdad in the neck.
When police arrived again, Morales’ mother, who was not named, tried to take the blame, telling police that she was the one who stabbed Herrera, who was unresponsive at the scene. But several witnesses said they saw Morales commit the attack. The mother later admitted she was not responsible.
El Paso Police said Herrera was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead.
After being arrested, Morales reportedly admitted to police, “I killed my stepdad.” He claimed he attacked Herrera because Herrera had pushed his mother. However, witnesses said they never saw Herrera hurt anyone at the gathering.
Morales also acknowledged that his mother tried to take the blame, but he wouldn’t let her.
Morales has been charged with one count of murder and one count of assaulting a family member. He is being held on a $700,000 bond at the El Paso County Detention Facility. His next court appearance is on January 17.
