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Jury sets 6-year prison term in stabbing of Wunsche student
By OBSERVER STAFF REPORTS
A jury set punishment at six years in prison for a father who stabbed a Wunsche High School student who the father wrongfully believed had sexually assaulted his daughter, District Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced.
Ruben Cuellar-Romo, 45, pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the stabbing of Joshua Chapa at the school April 28.
Evidence presented by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Smith showed the defendant’s daughter had told her parents earlier that several youths sexually assaulted her at a party, prompting the parents to take their daughter to the school to report it.
As they waited to talk to an administrator, the daughter pointed out the victim as one of her assailants. Cuellar-Romo then pulled a knife and stabbed the youth in the chest and abdomen.
A month later, the daughter admitted that she had fabricated the story and had not been assaulted at the party by the victim or anyone else, testimony showed.
“I just hope the verdict can provide some closure for Joseph Chapa and his family,” said prosecutor Smith. “The whole world should know that he is a truly innocent victim.”
In the punishment portion of the trial, lawyers for the defendant argued for probation, while Smith said Cuellar-Romo deserved prison time for the attack.
Jurors returned the punishment verdict Nov. 19 in the 230th District Court of Judge Belinda Hill, who presided over the case.
Ruben Cuellar-Romo, 45, pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the stabbing of Joshua Chapa at the school April 28.
Evidence presented by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Smith showed the defendant’s daughter had told her parents earlier that several youths sexually assaulted her at a party, prompting the parents to take their daughter to the school to report it.
As they waited to talk to an administrator, the daughter pointed out the victim as one of her assailants. Cuellar-Romo then pulled a knife and stabbed the youth in the chest and abdomen.
A month later, the daughter admitted that she had fabricated the story and had not been assaulted at the party by the victim or anyone else, testimony showed.
“I just hope the verdict can provide some closure for Joseph Chapa and his family,” said prosecutor Smith. “The whole world should know that he is a truly innocent victim.”
In the punishment portion of the trial, lawyers for the defendant argued for probation, while Smith said Cuellar-Romo deserved prison time for the attack.
Jurors returned the punishment verdict Nov. 19 in the 230th District Court of Judge Belinda Hill, who presided over the case.
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