GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—A 30-year-old man who was convicted in a fatal stabbing near Grand Junction has been sentenced to life in prison.
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports ( ) District Judge Brian Flynn sentenced Julio Ortiz on Friday and added another 146 years on habitual criminal charges. Ortiz had five prior felony convictions.
He was convicted March 15 of first-degree murder stemming from the March 1, 2012, death of 31-year-old Abel Roper of Fruita. Prosecutors say Ortiz became enraged and chased down Roper after a high-speed car crash on Interstate 70. Roper was stabbed 13 times in the chest and leg.
The slaying was a spillover from a fight over a girl involving Roper and Ortiz’ brother earlier that night.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
