TEXAS – Marco Cobos, a 24-year-old man, has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for the murder and aggravated robbery of 75-year-old Etta Nugent. The sentence, which ensures Cobos will spend at least 60 years in prison before parole eligibility, was delivered following his guilty plea ahead of the trial.
The horrific incident took place in May 2019, outside Houston, Texas. Cobos, who had stolen a truck in Arizona and drove to Houston for a planned meeting, ended up sleeping in his truck in Sharpstown, a quiet neighborhood, for several days. His presence was noted by residents, and authorities were called several times.
On May 19, 2019, Cobos approached Nugent’s home, asking for water and to charge his phone. Nugent, uncomfortable with letting him in, directed him to a neighbor and closed the door. Cobos returned minutes later, forced entry into her home, and began a prolonged assault using two knives, one from Nugent’s kitchen, stabbing her at least 13 times over several hours until she succumbed to her injuries.
Following the murder, Cobos remained in Nugent’s house for a period, doing his laundry, taking a shower, and even eating a hamburger while Nugent’s body lay in the living room. He then ransacked the house, stole her car, and checked into a motel.
The crime was discovered by Nugent’s adult son, who found his mother’s body and alerted the police. Cobos was detained the next day while trying to move his truck away from the crime scene. During his arrest for driving Nugent’s stolen car, he confessed to the killing, admitting Nugent had pleaded for her life, mentioning she was a mother and grandmother with an ailing husband.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg stated that the guilty plea was the right result, ensuring justice for the family without the ordeal of a trial.