A man who killed a 92-year-old woman during a break-in at her National City apartment was sentenced Monday to 31 years to life in state prison.
Peter Thao, 27, pleaded guilty in June to first-degree murder and residential burglary.
At his original sentencing date last month, Thao asked Judge Ana Espana if he could withdraw his plea. The judge denied the defendant’s motion before handing down his sentence.
Thao, of Mira Mesa, was arrested last November in the death of Maria Rivera, whose body was found by her daughter at their rental residence in the 1100 block of D Avenue shortly before 6 a.m. Oct. 22.
Authorities didn’t disclose what led them to identify Thao as Rivera’s killer.
The defendant originally was charged with murder and a special circumstance allegation of murder during a burglary, which could have resulted in a sentence of life without parole or the death penalty.
–City News Service
