Third suspect in deadly stabbing of Harlingen football star found guilty

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The third suspect in the fatal stabbing of a star running back at Harlingen High School was found guilty Monday.

_{Eduardo Aceves (Cameron County District Attorney's Office)}

Eduardo Aceves was found guilty by a jury for the murder of Lesley Maurice Hunter, a news release from the Cameron County District Attorney's Office stated.

Aceves is the third man who was convicted in connection to Hunter's death, including Juan Lozano and Angel Pizano. Authorities said that Aceves "collaborated" with the two other men.

Background

Lesley Hunter

On Oct. 17, 2020, police responded to the 3200 block of Sunshine Strip in Harlingen, where they found Hunter bleeding on the side of the road in critical condition. Police said that Hunter was able to tell officers that a man entered his home and stabbed him multiple times.

Police obtained arrest warrants for the three men, who were initially arrested on charges of aggravated assault. Those charges were upgraded to murder when Hunter died from his injuries nine days later.

Juan Lozano (Cameron County Jail)

Angel Pizano (Cameron County Jail)

Court hearings

On Sept. 21, 2023, Lozano was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murder. Lozano's legal team had filed for an order of sudden passion. After his sentencing, Cameron County DA Luis V. Saenz called his claim of self defense, "not only absurd, but totally outrageous."

According to Saenz, Lozano was a stranger to Hunter, and kicked in his front door during the middle of the night. A struggle ensued, in which Lozano stabbed Hunter to death.

Pizano was also facing charges of murder and engaging in organized crime for his involvement in the killing, but decided to plead guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to 15 years in state prison, records show.

Saenz noted that Hunter was a star running back in the 1990's and a father to three daughters.

"He did not deserve to be murdered in his own home," Saenz said.

ValleyCentral spoke with Hunter's family in 2022, who said they struggle to find comfort, even as the case came to a close.

“The only thing we have left is memories. I’ll never be there to say touch him or hear his voice again,” Hunter's mother Paulette Simpson said.

Aceves is scheduled to be sentenced in May.