The Oregon Court of Appeals has overturned the conviction of a man accused of murdering and burning the body of his girlfriend. The ruling issued April 17 centers on the Washington County prosecution of Norberto N. Muniz Jr., 44.
The court found that the prosecutor’s remarks during closing arguments deprived Muniz of a fair trial. The prosecutor had argued that Muniz was guilty because he had failed to call 911 after the victim’s death. However, the court found that there was no evidence to support this claim, and that the prosecutor’s remarks were therefore prejudicial.
Muniz was originally convicted of murder in 2019. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, the Court of Appeals has now ordered a new trial.
