Man who gambled away pension guilty of killing wife

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A Santa Ana man was found guilty Wednesday of killing his wife after she asked him to move out of their home because he gambled away $100,000 in pension money and had an extramarital affair.

Agustin Armaraz Espinoza, 58, was convicted of fatally beating Marisela Espinoza, his longtime wife, in July 2010 and fleeing briefly to Mexico, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

According to prosecutors, Espinoza gambled away $100,000 in pension money and was in possession of a prepaid cellphone containing text messages regarding an extramarital sexual relationship.

His wife, after learning of her husband’s gambling and cheating, demanded that he move out of their Santa Ana house.

Authorities said Espinoza bludgeoned his wife and left her body in the bedroom of their home. He fled to San Bernardino and attempted to use his wife’s debit card before fleeing to Mexico.

Marisela Espinoza’s colleagues contacted the Santa Ana police who found the victim’s body during a welfare check. She had not been to work for two days.

Augustin Espinoza was arrested later than day while reentering the United States from Mexico.

He faces up to 25 years to life in state prison when he is sentenced May 17.

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--Richard Winton