Second Houston-area teen convicted in occult killing
HOUSTON - A Harris County jury has convicted a second Houston-area teenager of murder in the death of a girl who prosecutors say was killed as part of a satanic ritual.
Jurors on Friday found 17-year-old Victor Alas guilty in the February 2014 death of 15-year-old Corriann Cervantes at a vacant apartment southeast of Houston. The conviction carries an automatic life sentence.
Authorities investigated the case as a satanic ritual killing because a cross was carved into Cervantes' abdomen and because of objects found at the scene. Investigators say the girl had been tortured and sexually assaulted, according to CBS affiliate KHOU.
Alas' attorneys say they couldn't overcome a videotaped confession he gave to police.
Jose Reyes, then 17, also was convicted and received a life sentence last December. Authorities have said the pair hoped to make a deal with the devil by killing Cervantes.