A California judge ruled on Tuesday that a convicted serial killer will stand trial for killing his cellmate in February.
Ramon Escobar — who killed a total of seven people in Texas in California — allegedly told prison staff that he strangled Juan Villanueva over his poor hygiene. KGET reported that Villanueva, 53, a convicted child sex abuser, was found dead in their shared cell at North Kern State Prison.
Escobar, 52, killed his uncle and aunt in Texas before fatally bludgeoning five others, most of whom were homeless. He carried out the seven slayings during a monthlong spree in 2018.
Escobar was serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole when he allegedly killed Villanueva, who was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for sexually assaulting a child younger than 14.
According to KGET, Escobar said he strangled Villanueva with his hands. He allegedly left a note in their cell listing the reasons why he killed him.
“1) Didn’t want to shower or bird bath right. 2) Didn’t wanna clean cell. 3) Stank like pure s—. 4) Didn’t wanna move I asked 2 or 3 times. 5) Didn’t wanna take me serious so please meet the devil ha, ha,” the note reportedly read.
KGET reported that a trial date will be set at next week’s hearing.
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[Featured image: Ramon Escobar, Juan Villanueva/California Department of Corrections]
