2nd man has plea deal over alleged machete death

SAN ANTONIO, TX

Prosecutors in San Antonio say Alexi Estebes-Mejia pleaded no contest to murder as jury selection was to begin Tuesday. He faces up to 32 years in prison over the 2009 slaying of Juan Jose Santana-Hernandez.

A corner determined the victim had been stabbed and suffered chopping wounds allegedly caused by a machete.

Another roommate, Erlin Yobani Garcia-Rivera, reached a plea agreement Friday on a reduced charge of aggravated assault and was to testify for the prosecution. Garcia-Rivera is expected to face a maximum 20-year prison term.

Investigators say Estebes-Mejia and Garcia-Rivera blamed each other for the killing after the trio had been at a party.

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