Man Pleads Guilty to Dragging Death of 76-Year-Old Woman

Sentencing phase begins Tuesday

A Dallas man admitted Monday to dragging a 76-year-old woman to death during a robbery.

Rogelio Belmonte pleaded guilty to murder before a jury was even seated to hear the case against him.

Belmonte will face between five and 99 years in prison or a life sentence for the murder of Sabra Leavy.

Leavy was attacked in the parking lot of a Dallas Walmart off Forest Lane in March 2011.

Surveillance video shows Belmonte in sport utility vehicle grabbing Leavy's purse strap and trying to yank it away from her while she was walking through the parking lot.

Leavy would not let go of her purse and can be seen in the video trying to run alongside of the truck, slipping and then being dragged. She died of injuries sustained when the SUV ran over her.

Leavy's daughter, Linda Hazouri, said she had prepared for the emotions of a criminal trial and was caught off guard by the quick plea deal.

"I'm glad justice will be done," she said. "She didn't deserve any of this."

Hazouri is still scheduled to testify. The sentencing phase will begin Tuesday morning. Testimony is expected to last two to three days.

Leavy's family is also suing Walmart and the security company that was employed when Leavy was dragged to death.

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