Third man sentenced for deadly stabbing of Harlingen football star

HARLINGEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — A third man has been sentenced in the fatal stabbing of a star running back at Harlingen High School.

Eduardo Aceves was found guilty by a jury on April 8 for the murder of Lesley Maurice Hunter. On Thursday, Aceves went before Judge Janet L. Leal and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Aceves is the third man who was sentenced in connection to the killing of Hunter. Juan Lozano was sentenced to life in prison and Angel Pizano was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

On Oct. 17, 2020, police responded to the 3200 block of Sunshine Strip in Harlingen, where Hunter was found bleeding on the side of the road. Police said Hunter told them a man entered his home and stabbed him multiple times.

Police initially arrested the three men on charges of aggravated assault. Those charges were upgraded to murder after Hunter died from his injuries just over a week later.

On Sept. 21, 2023, Lozano was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murder. His legal team filed an order of sudden passion. Following his sentencing, Cameron County DA Luis. Saenz called his self-defense claim “outrageous.”

Saenz added that Lozano was a stranger to Hunter and kicked in his front door during the middle of the night.

Pizano was also facing a charge of murder, but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to 15 years in state prison.

Saenz added that Hunter was a father of three, and did not deserve to be murdered in his own home.

“The family of Lesley Maurice Hunter lived out of state, and attended every trial,” Saenz said in a news release. “This has been a grueling time for them and I am glad they received justice for their loved one. I also want to thank my staff and the Harlingen Police Department for their effort in bringing closure for the family.”

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