CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - One of three men charged in the machete death of a South Carolina man nearly three years ago has been cleared.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reported two suspects reached deals with prosecutors that cleared one man and resulted in lesser charges for the other.
Charleston County sheriff’s deputies say 35-year-old Rafael Barragan Alvarez of North Charleston was struck with a machete more than 100 times in 2015.
Twenty-four-year-old Carlos Perez entered an “Alford plea” earlier this month to voluntary manslaughter. An Alford plea does not admit guilty, but concedes there’s enough evidence for a conviction. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Twenty-three-year-old Jose Arizmendi had all charges dropped.
His brother, 27—year-old Jesus Arizmendi, pleaded guilty to an accessory charge and was given four years of probation.
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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.postandcourier.com
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