A Filipino-American (Fil-Am) who was arrested for allegedly stabbing his Filipina wife to death in 2021 pleaded guilty to murder ahead of his trial in San Diego, California, United States.
On the day his trial was scheduled to start, the suspect, Jay Barcelon, 32, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and admitted he used a knife in the killing of his wife, Rhona Fantone, 30, said Deputy District Attorney Miriam Shoval as reported by local newspapers, the San Diego Union-Tribune and Times of San Diego.
With his plea, Barcelon is facing 16 years up to life in prison. He will be sentenced in December 2022.
On April 30, 2021, Barcelon pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife.
He was arrested on April 17, 2021 for one count of murder by homicide detectives from the San Diego Sheriff’s Department after he was accused of stabbing Fantone in their home at Dain Court, Lemon Grove.
According to the police investigation, they received calls regarding a “domestic incident” involving a male and female quarrelling in the area on the night of April 16.
“Deputies forced entry into the residence and their immediate intervention stopped any further assault,” the sheriff’s department said in their report.
Police found both Barcelon and Fantone with injuries and rushed them to the nearby hospital.
Fantone was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. Meanwhile, Barcelon underwent surgery for his injuries.
Fantone was a certified nursing assistant at Sharp Coronado, while Barcelon was a United States Navy sailor.