A man‘s request for relief from consecutive life sentences for killing a pair of disabled brothers is “wholly frivolous,” a state appellate court has ruled.
Juan Cristo-Munoz pleaded guilty last year to two counts of first-degree murder and related charges regarding a home-invasion and subsequent killings of Richard Walton and Leroy Kinsey at a Lancaster city home.
Cristo-Munoz, 20, is asking for relief, claiming improprieties at his plea/sentencing hearing.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court denied that request, writing in a 10-page opinion, that Cristo-Munoz’s “appeal is in fact wholly frivolous.”
Cristo-Munoz and an accomplice, Joshua Proper, repeatedly stabbed the disabled men. Kinsey was stabbed at least 10 times; Walton was stabbed 54 times.
Police and prosecutors determined Cristo-Munoz was involved in killing both men; Proper did not attack Walton.
Proper is serving a life sentence.
Cristo-Munoz argued:
- He was not provided an opportunity to speak at sentencing. The appellate court cited a transcript of the hearing that showed he was.
- The facts of the case were recited inaccurately. In court, Cristo-Munoz said he agreed with the facts as they were read.
- Cristo-Munoz was insulted when a prosecutor called him a “monster.” The statement had no impact on the sentence, the appellate court stated.
- Cristo-Munoz was mistreated at Lancaster County Prison. Such a claim is not relevant to the sentence imposed, the state court ruled.
Lancaster city police Detective Eric McCrady filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright