Texas Man Gets 45 Years in Shovel Slaying

A South Texas man with a history of assaulting his ex-girlfriend must serve 45 years in prison for using a shovel to fatally beat one of her male friends.

A judge in San Antonio on Thursday sentenced 35-year-old Gabriel Reyes Castillo. Castillo, who pleaded guilty to murder in a plea deal, testified he and the woman have two children together.

Investigators say Castillo had been drinking alcohol in December 2010 when he kicked down the door of the San Antonio woman's apartment and found 33-year-old Jesse Ramirez.

Authorities say the men struggled before Castillo left, returned with a shovel and beat Ramirez in the head.

Prosecutors say Castillo had a record of five assaults on the woman and in 2006 attacked another male friend who was at her residence.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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