Man Found Guilty Of Capital Murder In 2008 Slaying Sentenced To Life In Prison

Robert Valdez was found guilty Thursday of capital murder and aggravated assault in the 2008 stabbing death of Ana Sarahi Hernandez.

He was sentenced to life in prison for the murder and 15 years in prison for the aggravated assault.

State prosecutors said in June 2008, Valdez stabbed 20-year-old Hernandez at the East Side home on the 3100 block of Royal Jewel he was renting. Hernandez died at the hospital a couple of days later.

The prosecution argued Valdez was holding Hernandez against her will at the time of the attack which is what made this a capital crime.

But the defense said Hernandez was Valdez’s girlfriend and that she’d willingly gone to his home the night before to hang out with another couple.

The defense also argued that Hernandez may not have died from the stab wounds, but rather because of inadequate care at Thomison Hospital where she was treated after the attack.

Valdez’s family was very upset after the guilty verdict was announced. His mother had to leave the courtroom as other family members tended to her.

After Valdez’s sentencing, the victim’s sister had a chance to address the courtroom with a statement. Hernandez’s sister was at Valdez’s home during the attack and witnessed the stabbing. She had gone to Valdez’s house to pick up her sister.

Valdez shed a tear as Hernandez’s sister looked him straight in the eye and said, “Robert Valdez, you disgust me. You disgust my family.”

The girl, now 16, went on to tell him, “You took my childhood away. I was 14 and I saw my sister bleed to death.”

Valdez’s family was too upset to speak to ABC-7 after the trial wrapped up.