Julio Díaz Sentenced to Life in Prison for the Murder of Robert Wise
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas — Julio Díaz was sentenced on Monday, September 21, to life in prison for the murder of Robert Wise, which occurred in 2023. The sentence was handed down in the 139th District Court of Hidalgo County after a jury found Díaz, 35, guilty on three charges on August 6. For the murder charge, Díaz received a life sentence, while for each of the two arson charges, he was sentenced to 50 years in prison. The sentences will run concurrently. Díaz was convicted for the death of 55-year-old Robert Wise, who was shot on July 10, 2023. According to police, the incident was reported around 9:46 p.m. in the 100 block of 11th Street. Upon arrival, officers found Wise lying on the ground after suffering multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Díaz was arrested the following day, July 11, 2023, and was initially held on a $1 million bond for the charges he faced. During the trial, the prosecution presented about 15 witnesses, including Wise's widow, who recounted the last moments she spent with her husband. Evidence included videos that the prosecution claimed were recorded by Díaz during the incident and later posted on his social media. Police had also released images related to his arrest. After hearing the evidence and testimonies, the jury deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before finding Díaz guilty on all three charges on August 6. Díaz's defense had previously raised concerns about his health. In 2024, his attorney reported that Díaz had a brain cyst that, according to the defense, was pressing on his pituitary gland. The attorney also revealed that while incarcerated, Díaz handed him a letter expressing beliefs about Freemasons and claiming they had powers used to cause harm. These claims were part of the arguments previously raised by the defense during the trial. With the sentence imposed on Monday, Díaz now faces life in prison for the murder of Robert Wise, in addition to the two 50-year sentences that will be served concurrently.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
