A Texas man pleaded guilty to murdering his newlywed wife and was sentenced to 40 years in prison as part of a plea deal.
Judge Gary Chaney sentenced Jared James Dicus on Wednesday for decapitating 21-year-old Angie Diaz and leaving him in a shower in 2023.
Dicus, now 23, pleaded guilty to murder and has a minimum parole date of 2043. The Waller County District Attorney’s Office conferred with Diaz’s family before finalizing the plea agreement and sentence.
Prior to the trial, there were indications that Dicus might have mental health issues that could affect his competency, but a court-ordered examination determined he was competent to stand trial.
Texas man confesses to decapitating newly wed ‘illegitimate’ wife: reports
Jared Dicus, 23, pleaded guilty to murdering his newlywed wife and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. (Waller County Sheriff’s Office)
As part of the plea agreement, Dicus waived his right to appeal his sentence, punishment and all defenses, including the insanity defense, and he also waived his right to post-conviction habeas corpus.
“Waller County does not tolerate domestic violence, and heinous crimes like this will not go unpunished,” Waller County District Attorney Shawn Whitmore said in a statement. “We seek justice for victims of domestic violence and send a message to perpetrators that we will fight for them.”
Diaz, who worked as a counter helper at a local business, was originally from Nicaragua and was under the care of an aunt when she initially arrived in the United States, her family said last year.
Texas man suspected of decapitating newlywed wife, sheriff says body parts recovered
Jared James Dicus and Angie Diaz were married in October 2022 at the Waller County Courthouse. (Waller County Judge Trey Duhon)
Click here to get the FOX News app
Dicus was charged in January 2023 with murdering Diaz, whom he had married three months earlier. Waller County Sheriff’s Office deputies found Diaz lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds to her back on the floor of the couple’s bedroom, and what appeared to be Diaz’s head in the shower.
Waller County Sheriff Troy Guidry said evidence indicated the murder weapon was a kitchen knife and that “all parts and pieces have been recovered.”
After Diaz died last year, Dicus confessed to investigators that he killed his wife.
