Guatemalan man receives death penalty for the murder of his partner and daughter in Florida

United States.- Angel Cuz Choc, a 33-year-old Guatemalan immigrant, was sentenced to death in the state of Florida for the murder of his partner, Amalia Coc Choc de Pec, and her daughter, Estrella Anastasia Pec Coc, 4 years old.

The sentence was handed down by Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Michelle Sisco, nearly four months after a jury recommended the death penalty by a 10-2 vote. During the hearing, the judge indicated that the court agreed with the jury's recommendation, considering the seriousness of the facts and the evidence presented during the trial. In the sentencing resolution, Sisco concluded that the victims suffered in an extreme way before dying and that the accused understood the illicit nature of their actions. The judge pointed out that mother and daughter "suffered a lot" and that the deaths were "extremely painful", as she stated when handing down the sentence. Therefore, he rejected the defense's arguments that sought a life sentence based on a supposed lifelong mental illness.

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The defense had presented additional evidence in December 2025, including testimonies from family members, to try to avoid the death penalty. However, the judge determined that the existence of a mental disorder that diminished his criminal responsibility was not proven. With this resolution, Cuz Choc will be integrated into Florida's death row, where nearly 250 inmates remain. According to official records, those sentenced to death in Florida usually spend decades on death row before all appeals are resolved. Any eventual execution will depend on an express order from the state governor, once the judicial process has concluded. During the current state administration, there has been an increase in the number of executions, marking a more active trend in the application of death sentences compared to previous years.