THE NEWS DESK
The News Desk is a collection of news, notes and breaking items affecting the Fredericksburg community.
Man pleads guilty in Bragg Hill stabbing incident
BY KEITH EPPS
A man who participated in a beating and stabbing attack that left another man near death was convicted Thursday in Fredericksburg Circuit Court.
Francisco Dareo–Martinez, 37, was found guilty of aggravated malicious wounding. He faces 20 years to life in prison when he is sentenced March 21.
According to the evidence presented by prosecutor Travis Bird, the victim, 35-year-old Ever Contreras, was walking on Roffman Road on the evening of Sept. 9 when three men began taunting and teasing him.
A friend of Contreras’ intervened and was assaulted. Contreras ran to his nearby home and was trying to get inside when he was grabbed from behind.
Bird said that after Contreras struck his attacker with a beer bottle, all three suspects came after him as his friend ran off.
They chased Contreras around the Central Park Townhomes, formerly known as Bragg Hill.
Contreras eventually ran to his backyard and tried to keep the three men from getting into the gate.
They overpowered Contreras, and Dareo–Martinez beat him with a pool stick while the other suspects held and stabbed him multiple times.
Jose and Ismael Maldonado, who are brothers, are charged with multiple offenses and have trials scheduled in March.
Bird said Contreras was left for dead and was in critical condition when police found him in a pool of blood. Several people witnessed the attack.
He spent two weeks in the hospital and has permanent injuries, Bird said.
Dareo–Martinez, who is represented by attorney Kristy Kane, entered an Alford plea to the charge, meaning that while he doesn’t admit guilt, he acknowledges the evidence is sufficient for a conviction.
In return for the plea, Bird dropped two charges of malicious wounding by mob.
Keith Epps: 540/374-5404
