West Chicago man gets 14 years for role in stabbing death
A 19-year-old West Chicago man was sentenced Tuesday to 14 years in prison in connection with the November 2013 stabbing death of Thomas Tecuatl during an altercation in West Chicago.
Alejandro Martinez - one of three men charged in connection with the slaying - pleaded guilty to one count of armed violence during an appearance before DuPage County Judge Daniel Guerin, who then handed down the sentence. Assistant State's Attorney Steve Knight said Martinez had no previous criminal history.
Also charged in connection with the slaying are Jonathan Jimenez, 21, of Aurora, and Anthony Rios, 19, of West Chicago. Jimenez is being held on $1 million bail at DuPage County jail. Martinez pleaded guilty to similar charges last week and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Prosecutors said the three men attended a party on Nov. 17, 2013, on Pomeroy Street near Route 59 in West Chicago. Tecuatl, then 22, of Wheaton, also was at the party.
A dispute occurred and Tecuatl pulled a knife, prosecutors said. Tecuatl then left the party and was chased by a group of people, including Rios, Jimenez and Martinez. Some of those people were armed with an ax, a pipe, bricks and bottles, authorities said.
Tecuatl slipped and fell on the wet pavement, authorities said, and the three suspects began beating him. At some point, authorities said, Jimenez recovered the knife Tecuatl had dropped and fatally stabbed him.
Knight said Martinez then went back to the party and "bragged about how he and his boys just took care of" Tecuatl.
Police were called the following morning when a resident found Tecuatl's body on his front lawn.
Martinez will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence - including 477 days served - before being eligible for parole.
Jimenez, who is next due in court on April 6, faces a possible life sentence if convicted. He is charged with six counts of first-degree murder and two counts of mob action.