A man in Texas was sentenced to 60 years in jail after being found guilty of murdering another man with a machete.
The Facts of the Machete Murder Case in Texas
The case began on June 5, 2024, when cops in McAllen, TX, responded to a residence to do a wellness check. When they came, they didn’t seem to locate anything and left, intending to return the next day.
They did, and they immediately recognized the strong odor in the air as coming from a decaying body.
Officers entered a bedroom of the house and discovered the body of 47-year-old Jose Edgardo Sorto, who had significant slashes on his head and neck. According to Valley Central, the cause of death was “multiple chop wounds to the head and upper extremities,” according to an autopsy.
How Did Sorto Die?
Further investigation found that Soto had gotten into a fight with a roommate who allegedly stole his machete. Hector Neptaly Reyes Mendoza, his roommate, allegedly used the machete to murder Soto sometime after the argument.
A third resident, Mario Amaya, stated that Mendoza was obviously sweaty one day and was seeking money after locking himself out of his bedroom. In actuality, Mendoza’s bedroom was where he hid Sorto’s body and attempted to construct an alibi.
Amaya Tied to the Case
Officers caught Amaya lying during his interview, and after searching his vehicle, they discovered evidence linking him to the crime.
Amaya was summoned to trial in March 2025 but failed to attend as instructed.
Hector Neptaly Reyes Mendoza was found guilty in the death of Jose Edgardo Sorto and sentenced to 60 years in prison with a 353-day credit for his time in jail.
