On Thursday, October 19, 2023, a man was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the January 2022 murder of his ex-girlfriend.
The killing took place in a park near the family’s home in Houston, Texas, as the victim, Diamond Alvarez, 16, was walking her dog.
Frank Deleon, who was 17 at the time of the murder and is now 19, shot Diamond Alvarez 22 times. Many of the shots indicated that she was on her back when hit. The motive behind the murder is believed to be Deleon’s infidelity. After cheating on Alvarez, he reportedly wanted to silence her to prevent the truth from being revealed. This motive was reinforced by multiple text messages he sent her, pleading, “Don’t ruin this for me.”
As part of the plea agreement, Deleon admitted guilt, leading to chaotic scenes in the courtroom. Following her emotional victim impact statement, Anna Machado, Alvarez’s mother, began walking towards Deleon. She was quickly intercepted by a bailiff.
Simultaneously, Alvarez’s uncle made a move toward Deleon from behind, intensifying the situation. This altercation resulted in a brief scuffle between Machado and Deleon’s mother.
Originally, Deleon’s trial was scheduled for Monday. However, he failed to appear in court on the designated day. His attorney cited a car accident as the reason for his absence. He was later arrested on a warrant and appeared in court on Tuesday, showing signs of injury from the accident.
Machado expressed her grief and frustration. “All this time, he’s been laughing,” she remarked. “Laughing, making fun, ‘it’s a joke.’ A life is not a joke. My daughter is not a joke.” The statement underscores the profound impact the incident has had on the victim’s family.
Anna Machado also detailed the traumatic experience of discovering her daughter’s body during the hearing. “My son found her,” she shared. “I tried CPR, and I couldn’t bring her back. I tried so hard to keep her alive. I couldn’t.”
While Deleon’s formal sentencing marked a significant legal milestone, Alvarez’s family chose not to attend. Their absence was due to threats they had received on social media and concerns about potential further violence. The district attorney reassured that law enforcement would intervene if any violence occurred. Alvarez’s aunt has also pleaded for no retaliation, emphasizing the need for the family to find peace.
