A McAllen, Texas, man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated battery in Knox Circuit Court related to multiple stabbings last year.
25-year-old Julio Flores was arrested by Galesburg Police for the September 2, 2020, stabbing that killed 28-year-old Gregory Acosta of Lindale, Texas. Another individual, 33-year old Aaron Kropt of Perry, Missouri, was treated after being stabbed in the leg.
According to Knox County State’s Attorney Jeremy Karlin, Flores could be sentenced to 4 to 20 years in the Department of Corrections for the second-degree murder charge as it is a class 1 felony. The aggravated battery charge is a class 3 felony and is punishable from 2-5 years.
Karlin says that the potential testimony of witnesses and physical evidence was evaluated and “…after discussing the case thoroughly with the decedent’s mother and investigators, I am satisfied that [second-degree] murder is the most appropriate resolution of the case. The length of the sentence is now in Judge Cavanaugh’s hands.”
WGIL previously reported that the stabbing took place in the parking lot of the Baymont Inn & Suites at 2285 Washington Street.
Acosta was stabbed multiple times in the torso and was taken to the Cottage Hospital Emergency Room in a private vehicle. He was later transported to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria where he was later pronounced deceased.
Sentencing is set for July 15.
