http://www.zwire.com

MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN STABBING DEATH OF ROOMMATE
By: CASEY KNAUPP, Staff Writer
06/30/2006

An illegal immigrant pleaded guilty Friday to stabbing his Lindale roommate to death with a kitchen knife during an argument over less than $100.

Gaudencio Juan Sanchez Rosales, 48, pleaded guilty to murder and entered into a plea agreement for a 35-year prison sentence. He was set to go to trial on July 10.

Through a Spanish-speaking interpreter, Rosales admitted to stabbing Jose Naranijo Albino to death during an argument over money on Nov. 5, a Saturday.

Assistant Smith County District Attorney Joe Murphy said Rosales and Albino worked together at a tree farm in Lindale and were paid on Mondays. Rosales was leaving for Mexico on Sunday, Nov. 4, and wanted Albino to give him cash for the value of his check, which Albino could pick up the next day, he said. The men argued over whether the check for two days of work would be written for $80 or $100 and Rosales stabbed Albino in the cheek and heart, cutting his main artery and killing him, Murphy said.

During an interview with law enforcement, Rosales told investigators he was in the kitchen talking to the victim about money owed to him. He said he remembered Albino falling to the floor, but "does not remember why" because he was intoxicated and did not remember what happened, according to the affidavit.

In 241st District Judge Jack Skeen Jr.'s court on Friday, Rosales said at first he couldn't say whether he killed Albino because he had been drinking a lot. But when asked by Skeen if he was pleading guilty only because he was guilty and for no other reason, he said, "yes."

Rosales, whose black hair has turned gray since his arrest, also agreed to pay restitution to the victim's family.

The defendant, who faced five years to life in prison for the murder charge, will now be eligible for parole after serving 17 ½ years in prison. Rosales said he understood that because he was not a United States citizen, he would be deported by immigration officials after he was released from prison.

Murphy said the DA's Office had been in contact with the only known relative of the victim who lived in the United States and said he approved the plea deal.

On Nov. 5 Smith County deputies were dispatched to 14352 Farm-to-Market Road 849 in Lindale, where the victim and defendant lived. Aguillon Sanchez Transito and Mariano Mendoza Aiejanard, who also were at the residence, told deputies they heard arguing between Rosales, also known as Evodio Rosales, and the victim about money at about 3:30 a.m. but did not see the victim die, Detective Pamela Dunklin stated in an affidavit.

Rosales allegedly fled the scene and hid in the woods after deputies attempted to stop him for questioning. Deputies arrested him as he was running from his house and toward Interstate 20, the affidavit states.

Rosales was also charged for evading arrest.

At times during several court hearings, Rosales appeared confused. The plea hearing took longer than usual Friday because Skeen explained some questions more than once.

Defense attorney Clifton Roberson defended Rosales while Smith County DA Matt Bingham and assistant DA Zach Davis also prosecuted the case.

Casey Knaupp covers county, state and federal courts. She can be reached at 903.596.6289. e-mail: news@tylerpaper.com