An Ajo man facing a potential death sentence in the rape and murder of a 7-year-old girl rejected a plea agreement this morning, saying he deserved to die.
Loretto “Kyle” Alegria, 21, is scheduled to go to trial in April on rape, kidnapping and first-degree murder charges in the June 2009 death of Rhia Almeida.
Pima County Superior Court Judge Deborah Bernini scheduled a change-of-plea hearing this morning after being told Alegria was willing to plead guilty and spend the rest of his life in prison. However, Alegria told Bernini he did not want to sign the agreement.
Alegria told the judge he is sorry for what happened, but he doesn’t want to enter the agreement because “I deserve the max. I don't deserve to live."
Rhia was beaten and stabbed to death when she went to visit Alegria's little brother to play, authorities say.
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Rhia's body was found in a wash behind Alegria's home by two girls riding their bicycles. That was about two hours after Rhia had left home.
Alegria's trial is expected to last six weeks. Ajo is about 110 miles west of Tucson.
Read more in Friday's Arizona Daily Star.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com
