Prosecution in case against man accused of murdering shop customers is suspended

RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA – The trial of a parolee accused of stabbing a supermarket customer during an altercation in Indio was dismissed Thursday.

Vicente Angel Munoz, 32, of La Quinta, is charged with murder, use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a serious crime, which carries a severe penalty, and probation violations in connection with the 2020 killing of Maurice Brock, 29, of Indio.

Testimony in Munoz's trial began last week, and the prosecution's final witness was called to the Riverside Hall of Justice on Thursday morning, after which the defense presented its case.
Final statements were expected either on Friday or Monday.

Munoz is being held at the Robert Presley Jail on $1 million bail.

According to an evidentiary statement attached to the prosecution's motions, Munoz confronted Brock shortly before 1 a.m. on March 14, 2020, in the parking lot of the Circle K at 79-985 Highway 111.

The defendant's behavior had been erratic that night, and there was never a clear explanation as to why the victim was targeted. He was a regular customer of the supermarket, while Munoz was a stranger, according to witness testimony.

During the altercation, the parolee became physically violent toward the victim, who tried to push him away. At that moment, the defendant pulled out a knife and stabbed Brock. Brock ran, but only got a short distance before Munoz caught up with him and allegedly stabbed him again. He then fled the scene on foot, according to the indictment.

Brock was taken to JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio, where he died less than an hour later.
Munoz returned to his family's residence at 79-290 Camino Rosada, where he became hostile toward his brother and others, who called 911 and said “Vicente was waving a knife in front of the family,” court documents state.

Sheriff's deputies, who were already investigating the fatal stabbing, received a description of the attacker in the house and determined that he matched the man who allegedly carried out the attack on Brock.

They went to the La Quinta residence and arrested Munoz without incident.

Court records show that the defendant has previously been convicted of robbery, domestic violence, theft and vandalism.

Copyright 2024, City News Service, Inc.