Austin man sentenced to more than 31 years for stabbing death of teen in 2020

Chad Corey

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(ABC 6 News) – An Austin man has been sentenced to more than 31 years in prison for the murder of a 15-year-old boy in December 2020.

28-year-old Jaime Vaca was convicted of 2nd Degree Murder Not Premeditated with Intent, and 2nd Degree Murder Without Intent While Committing a Felony. He originally pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty in November 2021.

Thursday, a Mower County Judge sentenced Vaca to 306 months for 2nd Degree Murder Not Premeditated with Intent with credit of 394 days for time served, and 75 Months for 2nd Degree Murder Without Intent While Committing a Felony.

According to court documents, on the morning of December 15, 2020, officers were called to the 800 block of 3rd Ave. NW in Austin for a reported assault with two victims. Police said a woman was found on the front lawn with a stab wound to her neck. The woman identified the suspect as Jaime Vaca, her husband, and told officers her son was inside and had also been stabbed.

Police said when officers went into the home they found a teenager on the couch suffering from stab wounds.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the teen was stabbed while trying to protect his mother from Vaca. He later died from his injuries at the hospital.