Oklahoma City Man Pleads Guilty For 2019 Murder, Sentenced To Life In Prison

Gabriel Aguilar entered a blind plea on Thursday in Oklahoma County District Court. He had been charged for the 2019 murder of his girlfriend, Selena Pacheco-Escalera. The judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

"Yesterday, it was pretty powerful when one of her children read a victim impact statement," said Brook Arbeitman, a spokesperson for the district attorney's office. "Other family members read victim impact statements. So, it also, probably more importantly than it takes a load off prosecutors, it takes a load off family as well having to sit through that."

Because he entered a blind plea, there will be no jury trial which spares family and friends from listening to a retelling of the details behind Pacheco-Escalera's murder. 

Claudia Cruz a friend, shared a statement following the decision. "That man took the life of a beautiful soul and he gets to live his life behind bars," Cruz said. "She will forever be loved and missed, long live Selena."

Pacheco-Escalera was discovered in her Oklahoma City apartment after being stabbed more than 70 times in front of her children. Her children alerted a family friend, who then called police.

"Mr. Aguilar said I'm ready to accept whatever punishment the court and the judge deem appropriate," Arbeitman said.

Related Article: OKC Mother Stabbed To Death In Front Of Her Children