A Plano man has been sentenced to life in prison after landing lethal punch he threw outside a pizza restaurant. As reported by Fox 4 News, the perpetrator sucker-punched a second man who was picking up dinner at the time of the first attack.
While waiting for his pizza at a Little Caesar’s location in Plano, the victim made his way over to the counter and placed an order. At the same local shop, James Gutierrez and his fiancée decided to wait for their food in their car.
After Gutierrez calls him over, the victim walks out of the restaurant and places the pizza on the hood of his truck, as can be seen on the surveillance footage there. Gutierrez strikes him in the head without warning.
Witnesses say that Gutierrez had no interaction with the victim and that he appeared to be apprehensive about being summoned. They said he didn’t have a chance to defend himself because it happened so quickly.
Collin County DA Greg Willis said, “No one should ever be in fear of being assaulted by a stranger while picking up dinner on the way home from work, let alone suffer a fatal punch. While it can’t bring the deceased victim back to his family, the jury’s verdict of life in prison is the right answer for a long-term, violently dangerous man who preys upon unsuspecting people just trying to enjoy their lives.”
Gutierrez’s gang affiliation and criminal history, including sex offenses, were both brought up by the prosecution during the sentencing phase. Additionally, Gutierrez was accused of assaulting his fiancée while out on bond.
