A Texas man, Jared James Dicus, was recently sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of his newlywed wife, Anggy Diaz. The sentencing was handed down by Judge Gary Chaney after Dicus admitted to decapitating Diaz and leaving her head in the shower in 2023. Dicus, who is now 23 years old, will not be eligible for parole until 2043. The plea agreement and sentencing were finalized after consultation with Diaz’s family by the Waller County District Attorney’s Office.
Before the trial, there were concerns raised about Dicus’s mental health and competency to stand trial. However, after a court-ordered examination, he was deemed competent to face trial. As part of the plea deal, Dicus waived his right to appeal the verdict, sentence, or any potential defense options, such as an insanity plea. He also waived any post-conviction writ of habeas corpus.
The Waller County District Attorney, Sean Whittmore, emphasized the county’s zero-tolerance policy towards domestic violence. He stated that crimes like this one would not go unpunished and that justice would be sought for domestic violence victims. Diaz, originally from Nicaragua, had been living with an aunt in the U.S. before her tragic death.
Dicus was charged with Diaz’s murder in January 2023, just three months after the couple was married. When Waller County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene, they found Diaz in a pool of blood with stab wounds on the bedroom floor. Her decapitated head was discovered in the shower. Sheriff Troy Guidry confirmed that a kitchen knife was used as the murder weapon and that all body parts were recovered.
After Diaz’s death, Dicus confessed to investigators that he had killed his wife. The brutal nature of this crime shocked the community and highlighted the importance of addressing domestic violence issues. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of such violence and the need for support for victims. It also underscores the critical role of law enforcement and the justice system in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
