SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A judge in Puerto Rico imposed a 160-year prison sentence Monday on a man convicted of killing an Ohio tourist during a break-in at an apartment rented for a family vacation.
Juan P. Carela Acevedo was found guilty of stabbing Brett Walquist to death in the town of Rincon in December. Judge Jaime Rodriquez announced the verdict and sentence for the 22-year-old Carela following a non-jury trial in Aguadilla. He was convicted of charges that included first-degree murder and aggravated burglary.
The victim, from Beavercreek, Ohio, was staying in Rincon with his wife and children. Police said Walquist apparently walked in on the intruder in the kitchen and was stabbed at least three times during a struggle.
Carela, who had previous arrests for drug offenses and burglary, told reporters as he was led into police custody after his arrest in January that killing Walquist was the “mistake of his life.” He apologized to the family of his victim.
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