Man Sentenced for Beating 73-year-old to Death

A 22-year-old San Angelo man was sentenced to 50 years in the state penitentiary on Monday, after pleading guilty to the assault that claimed the life of 73-year-old Virgil “Honey” Gray.

Casey Aleman was indicted on first-degree injury to an elderly causing serious bodily injury in April, two months after the assault that took place on Feb. 21, 2015.

According to a press release issued by the 119^th District Attorney’s Office, San Angelo police were dispatched to Gray’s residence at 805 E. 42^nd St. on Feb. 21 at 8:37 p.m. When they arrived, paramedics were on scene administering first aid to Gray, who had been severely beaten. Gray was transported to the hospital where he died some 13 days later.

Shortly after the assault was discovered, it was determined that Casey Aleman, who had just moved into Mr. Gray’s home, along with Aleman’s girlfriend, had been in a fight with other residents of the house. Everyone left the house except Aleman and Mr. Gray. When others returned, they discovered Mr. Gray’s injuries and contacted police.

Further investigation showed that Aleman had ingested K2, sometimes referred to as synthetic marijuana, before the assault. Aleman was captured shortly thereafter and confessed to beating Mr. Gray. Aleman was unable to provide any reason for the assault. He was indicted for causing serious bodily injury to an elderly person, a first-degree felony.

On Sept. 1, Aleman pled guilty to the charge before 119^th Judge Ben Woodward on Monday morning and was sentenced to 50 years in the penitentiary. The DA’s office released the following statement with regard to the case:

“This was an awful case. Mr. Gray suffered from several pre-existing health issues that probably contributed to his inability to survive this incident. However, the injuries were severe enough that the assault rose to the level of a first-degree felony, just like murder. I opted for this offense because it did not allow the defendant to challenge the cause of death at trial, but rather held him accountable directly for the serious injuries that were inflicted. Aleman will be gone from our community for many years. Virgil Gray’s brother, the former Sheriff of Tom Green County Dan Gray, was apprised of the plea agreement and the sentencing date. Sheriff Gray informed us that he preferred not to attend the hearing.”