By VICTOR A. PATTON
vpatton@mercedsun-star.com
A 33-year-old Merced man who fatally slashed his girlfriend's throat will wait another month-and-a-half before he begins serving a 16-year-to-life sentence in state prison.
A Monday sentencing hearing for convicted killer Luis Alejandro Flores was postponed by Superior Court Judge Carol Ash until Aug. 24.
The hearing was put off after Flores' attorney John Garcia requested more time to review and respond to a probation report.
A Merced County jury convicted Flores of second-degree murder in April for killing Jacqueline Lua, 20, after an argument at an apartment in the 2200 block of K Street.
Lua's father sat expressionless in the courtroom gallery less than 10 feet away from the man who murdered his daughter.
During the hearing, Deputy District Attorney Rob Carroll requested statements and letters to be attached to Flores' probation report. Carroll said the purpose of attaching those letters would be to inform prison officials about the devastating impact Lua's murder had on her family.
Although Flores could be eligible for parole in 16 years, Carroll said he's hopeful Flores will remain behind bars for the rest of his life, particularly because of the heinous, brutal nature of his crime.
Lua had a bright future ahead of her, Carroll said, and came from a loving, supportive family. "(The murder) was cold-blooded and calculating. To me, he's dangerous."
Flores testified during trial he killed Lua, grabbing a kitchen knife and slashing her throat because she taunted his sexual prowess.
After killing Lua, Flores cut his own neck and wrist, claiming he was trying to commit suicide. Flores waited for about 24 hours after killing Lua to call police.
Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.
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