Duplin County man pleads guilty to manslaughter
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on November 14, 2006 1:45 PM
A Duplin County man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter Monday in Duplin County Superior Court.
Miguel Angel Mendoza, 20, was sentenced to a minimum of five years and a maximum of six years and nine months for the Aug. 14, 2005, murder of Gerardo Lugo Osorio, 24. Mendoza had no prior record.
According to information provided by the Duplin District Attorney's Office, Osorio was found dead at about 8:30 a.m. Aug. 14 in front of Apartment 10, 326 West Ridge St, Rose Hill.
Upon his arrest, Mendoza waived his rights and told N.C. State Bureau of Investigation agents what happened.
According to his statement, Mendoza, Osorio and two other men spent the night of Aug. 13 drinking beer and playing billiards. Once the other two men went to bed, he and Osorio stayed up drinking outside.
At some point during the night, Mendoza told investigators, Osorio became aggressive and started hitting him. When he tried to retreat inside, Osorio followed him.
Mendoza then threatened him with a knife, saying, "Control yourself, or I will cut you."
He said Osorio responded, saying, "use it, use it," and then attacked him.
Mendoza began slashing at Osorio and cut him on the left arm and lower left chest, as well as on his right and left legs. Osorio died from lacerations to his heart.