Manuel Tellez, owner of Maroches Bakery on West Davis Street, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Monday in the fatal stabbing of local artist Anthony Moreno.
Tellez had previously faced a murder charge and life in prison in connection with Moreno’s death, but the Dallas Morning News reports Tellez struck a deal with prosecutors for a lesser charge.
Tellez was sentenced to eight years deferred adjudication probation, and will not have a conviction upon the successful completion of probation. Last month, Tellez waived his right to a jury trial and opted to appear before a judge.
The details of the crime shocked Oak Cliff residents in April 2022, after a burned body was found by police near Kings Highway and Edgefield Avenue. The body was later identified as Moreno’s.
According to the Dallas Police Department, Tellez doused Moreno’s body in gasoline and set the man on fire hours after fatally stabbing him multiple times.
Only hours earlier, Tellez and Moreno had appeared on an Instagram live video together and appeared to be friendly.
According to police records, Tellez and Moreno were believed to have similar romantic interests in the same woman.
