Disturbing new details emerge in illegal immigrants alleged murder of elderly California man
A criminal illegal migrant charged with murder for allegedly butchering a Bay Area retiree to death in the victim’s front yard is accused of committing the brutal crime during a botched burglary, court documents show.Marcos Iriarte-Valdez, 36 — a Venezuelan national who also holds citizenship in Spain — faces life in prison for the fatal stabbing of Todd Stewart, 68, just outside Stewart’s Martinez home last week.Iriarte-Valdez had been released from jail only the day before the alleged killing.Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton vowed to hold him accountable for the devastating act of violence that took the life of Stewart, a father of two who is being mourned by stunned neighbors and family members.
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones and the larger community as they navigate this unimaginable loss,” Becton said.Prosecutors say Iriarte-Valdez stabbed Stewart to death with a knife while committing a residential burglary at approximately 5:10 pm on August 6.The suspect was hit with three additional enhancements to the murder charge related to his alleged use of a knife during a burglary and his being out on conditional release at the time.
Surveillance footage that captured the horrifying attack appears to show Iriarte-Valdez pulling up to Stewart’s house in a Cadillac SUV wearing dark jeans, a gray shirt and a protective vest.Iriarte-Valdez, who also lived in Martinez, is allegedly shown sitting in his vehicle for a while before getting out and launching a brutal knife attack on Stewart.The men can be seen grappling on a sidewalk and between two parked cars before Stewart stumbles to the ground.Iriarte-Valdez allegedly continued stabbing Stewart after he fell, as the victim howls in agony.Stewart was pronounced dead at the scene despite medics’ attempts to save his life.Martinez police arrested Iriarte-Valdez at his home Friday night.Cops used surveillance and physical evidence from the scene to identify ...