Downey Man Pleads No Contest in the Murder of South Gate Woman

DOWNEY (CNS) - A Downey man who surrendered last year in Texas in connection with the killing of a woman he had been dating pleaded no contest today to first-degree murder.

Gary Anthony Chavez, 45, is facing 25 years to life in state prison when he is sentenced Aug. 30 by Superior Court Judge Ana Maria Luna at the Downey courthouse, according to Jane Robison of the District Attorney's Office.

Chavez surrendered last Sept. 4 to the El Paso Police Department, one day after the body of 31-year-old Alvina Jimenez of South Gate was discovered at his apartment in the 8200 block of Telegraph Road in Downey.

The woman died of blunt force and sharp trauma injuries, Robison said. Jimenez had been dating Chavez, but had apparently planned to end the relationship, according to Robison.

In exchange for his plea to first-degree murder, the prosecution agreed to dismiss a special circumstance allegation of murder involving the infliction of torture and allegations of use of a sledgehammer and a knife, Robison said.

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