A man from Virginia may spend the rest of his life in prison after brutally murdering a woman he mistook for his ex-girlfriend, according to the New York Post. 48-year-old Richard Montano was found guilty of first-degree murder and arson in connection with the death of Silvia “Kelly” Vaca Abacay. Abacay was discovered beaten, stabbed, and set on fire on August 10, 2022. The attack happened when Abacay was staying at the apartment of her friend Fatima Via Rojas, who had recently ended a long-term relationship with Montano.
During the trial in Fairfax County, it was revealed that Montano had intended to harm Via Rojas but mistakenly targeted Abacay instead. The prosecutor described the severity of the injuries Abacay suffered, with at least 10 blunt force injuries and 10 stab wounds. Police were alerted to the crime after a neighbor heard screams and called emergency services. Montano initially fled but was later apprehended, and a bent knife was discovered in his truck.
Montano pleaded not guilty, but the jury found him guilty of the charges. Via Rojas expressed her guilt, feeling responsible for Abacay’s death as Montano had intended to harm her instead. Abacay’s widower, Joselo Landivar, hopes for a life sentence for Montano. The convicted murderer will be sentenced in January and could face life in prison, according to Fox News. Abacay, originally from Bolivia, leaves behind two children who reside there.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
