BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD TV) — An 18-year-old Bloomington man pleaded guilty this week to stabbing another person to death two years ago.
According to McLean County Circuit Court records, Luis Monroy was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in connection with the Sept. 23, 2023, death of Nicholas M. Zapata, 19, of Normal.
He will get credit for about two years already spent but must serve the rest of his sentence, which is 28 years. However, due to his age at the time, 16, he will be given a parole hearing after 20 years, which means he could be released at that time.
Zapata was found unresponsive shortly after 10 p.m. in the 300 block of Kenmore Road, which is east of the Southgate Estates Trailer Park. He was rushed to Carle BroMenn Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later.
An autopsy determined he died from multiple stab wounds to the chest.
Witnesses indicated Monroy followed Zapata after leaving a party and, without provocation, stabbed him multiple times with a knife before fleeing the scene.
He was taken into custody later that night in rural Heyworth without incident. At that location, officers found evidence Monroy had tried to burn the clothing he was wearing prior to being arrested.
His age and the first-degree murder charge resulted in the case being transferred from the juvenile division of McLean County Circuit Court to the adult division. Normally, 16-year-olds are prosecuted as juveniles and the records are sealed to the public, but homicide cases can be an exception.
“The family deserved justice and closure after losing their loved one. I am hopeful the outcome of the criminal investigation and sentencing provides some relief for them,” said Police Chief Jamal Simington. “I am thankful for the efforts of the Bloomington officers and detectives, the McLean County deputies, and our public safety dispatchers; their collaboration was superb.”
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