KISSIMMEE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -
The man convicted of bludgeoning and strangling a Celebration resident back in 2010 was to be sentenced on Thursday, but the process will now be delayed one month.
A jury found 30-year-old David Murillo guilty in the second-degree murder of 58-year-old Matteo Patrick Giovanditto in January. Murillo, who had originally been charged with first-degree murder, was staying with Giovanditto at the time or the attack over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Authorities said Murillo was drinking, when the two got into an argument that ended up with Giovanditto dead. Investigators said Murillo killed Giovanditto by beating him with a hatchet and strangling him with a shoelace. They said he then stole Giovanditto's car, coin collection and iPad.
Murillo claimed he was the victim of an attempted rape and became enraged. The murder of Giovanditto was Celebration's first homicide.
An Osceola County judge has delayed sentencing to allow for a review Murillo's medical records.
Murillo could face up to 15 years in prison.
