Man Found Guilty of Killing Point Boro Woman

A jury in Arizona found a man guilty of first degree murder and robbery in the killing of a Point Borough woman who was attending college in Arizona, according to Fox News in Phoenix, AZ.

Jose Luis Marquez, 22, was found guilty of first degree murder and robbery Monday morning in the slaying of Kyleigh Sousa, a Point Borough high school graduate who was attending Arizona State University (ASU).

"A lot of tears were flowing when the family of the victim, 21-year-old Kyleigh Sousa, heard the guilty verdicts in court," reported Fox News. "Sousa's mother was seen in the front row, holding an ASU Sun Devil shirt on her lap."

Karen Montenegro, Kyleigh's mother, has been in Arizona for the trial.

Fox is reporting: "Marquez was accused of trying to snatch Sousa's purse while she was walking with a friend outside an IHOP restaurant in Tempe back on May 26, 2010. According to court documents, Kyleigh's arm was caught in the purse strap and she was pulled to the ground and dragged. She sustained severe injuries, including blunt force trauma to her head, which caused her death.

"Tempe police arrested Marquez six months later after an intense investigation involving a photo radar picture. Sentencing for Marquez is slated for December 14. He could face 25 years to life in prison."

Kyleigh Sousa and her family had lived in Point Borough for many years, after living in Brick.

To read the Dec. 2010 Patch story about Sousa with interviews with Montenegro and Bernie Sousa, Kyleigh's brother, click here.