Fresno man accused of strangling his mother takes plea deal
A Fresno man who was accused of killing his mother in 2017 pleaded no contest on Monday to voluntary manslaughter and residential burglary.
Jose Manuel Saavedra, 35, was originally charged with first degree murder in the death of his 53-year-old mother Felipa Saavedra with whom he lived occasionally.
Detectives said Jose Saavedra went to his mother’s home on Kearney Boulevard on Feb. 4, 2017. Detectives believe the mother and son argued and then the dispute turned violent. A medical examiner’s report shows Felipa Saavedra died from blunt impact to the head and strangulation.
A family member found her body at about 7 p.m. laying just inside the front door. of the home.
Jose Saavedra was arrested the next day in the Los Angeles area driving a stolen car. He had several active warrants and was in violation of his probation.
His public defender Stephanie Negin has said her client suffers from a combination of drug abuse and mental illness. A court-appointed psychiatrist determined on Jan. 14, 2019 that he was incompetent to stand trial. He was sent to a state hospital where he spent six months being treated. He returned, was reexamined and was determined to be competent to stand trial.
“This situation is tragic, he killed his mother but he has also accepted responsibility from day one,” Negin said. “What happened is the result of his mental illness and him not receiving treatment.”
As part of the plea deal, Amy Freeeman, deputy district attorney, said Saavedra agreed to a sentence of 29 years and 8 months for manslaughter and residential burglary. He was originally facing 55 years to life.
Saavedra will be sentenced on June 9. Freeman will give the family the opportunity to speak if they choose.
“ I think they are mostly just looking forward to some closure,” Freeman said.
Negin said she was pleased with the outcome.
“Mr. Saavedra’s plea is a fair compromise,” she said. “The settlement negotiations in this case is the culmination of the rigorous analysis of the evidence and mental health issues presented.”
