HOUSTON – A 31-year-old man appeared before a judge for the first time after admitting to killing his wife in a violent stabbing at a Houston apartment complex.
Jose Diaz Pina is charged with murder after court records revealed he stabbed his 40-year-old wife nearly a dozen times.
The incident occurred after 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Falls of Braeswood Apartments off South Braeswood Boulevard.
During Diaz Pina’s probable cause hearing, the judge formally charged Diaz Pina with first-degree murder.
“It is alleged that the defendant admitted to murdering his wife by stating, ‘I stabbed her, I killed her,’” the judge said.
Police responded to the scene shortly after 8:30 p.m. Diaz Pina lived in the apartment with his wife and 13-year-old son. The boy had been sent to the store by Diaz Pina, who allegedly told him he didn’t need to be present during an argument.
“It is alleged that when the witness (the boy) returned home, the door was locked. He climbed up on the balcony and when he went inside, he found his mother covered in blood,” said the judge.
Court records show Diaz Pina stabbed his wife at least 11 times. After the attack, officers searched for Diaz Pina, who later called police and turned himself in near the apartment complex entrance.
The motive behind the killing remains unknown.
The judge set Diaz Pina’s bond at $500,000 with conditions that he stay away from the victim’s son and their apartment. He is scheduled to return to court Tuesday morning at 9 a.m.