A Texas man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison as part of a plea deal after pleading guilty to the murder of his newlywed wife.
Jared James Dicus was sentenced Wednesday by Judge Gary Chaney after cutting off the head of 21-year-old Anggy Diaz and leaving her in the shower in 2023.
Dicus, now 23, pleaded guilty to murder and his earliest parole date will not be until 2043. The Waller County District Attorney's Office consulted with Diaz's family before finalizing the plea agreement and sentence.
During the pre-trial phase of the case, possible mental health issues were raised regarding Dicus' competency to stand trial, but he was found competent to stand trial after a court-ordered examination according to a statement released by the Waller County District Attorney's Office.
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Jared Dicus, 23, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering his newlywed wife. (Waller County Sheriff's Office)
As part of the plea agreement, Dicus waived his right to appeal the verdict, the sentence and any potential defenses, including the insanity defense. He also waived any post-conviction habeas corpus remedies.
“Waller County does not tolerate domestic violence. Heinous crimes like this will not go unanswered,” Waller County District Attorney Sean Whittmore said in the statement. “We will seek justice for victims of domestic violence and send a message to perpetrators that we are here to fight for our victims.”
Diaz, who had worked as a counter helper at a local business, was originally from Nicaragua and was initially cared for by an aunt when she first arrived in the United States, her family said last year.
Texas man allegedly decapitates his newlywed wife, sheriff says 'bits and pieces were recovered'
Jared James Dicus and Anggy Diaz were married at the Waller County Courthouse in October 2022. (Waller County Judge Trey Duhon)
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In January 2023, Dicus was charged with murdering Diaz after marrying her three months earlier. Waller County Sheriff's Office deputies found Diaz on the couple's bedroom floor in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds to the back and what appeared to be his head was located in the shower.
Waller County Sheriff Troy Guidry said evidence showed a kitchen knife was the murder weapon and “all parts and pieces were recovered.”
After Diaz's death last year, Dicus confessed to investigators that he had murdered his wife.
