by | Published
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - A man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the 2024 murder of Robert Ibarra, who was attacked with a rock while sleeping beneath a bridge on Christmas Eve.
Judge Ron Rangel sentenced Avory Rowe on Wednesday, Sept. 23, in the 379th District Court, according to the Bexar County District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors said Ibarra was sleeping under a bridge on Dec. 24, 2024, when Rowe approached him and struck him several times in the head with a rock. The incident occurred near the intersection of W Martin and N San Jacinto St.
During the case, Rowe said he had been using substances on the night of the killing, which he claimed worsened existing mental health problems and caused him to hallucinate before the attack.
The defense raised an insanity argument, but a court mental health assessment determined Rowe was legally sane, according to the District Attorney's Office.
The information released by prosecutors did not specify whether Rowe was convicted by a jury or entered a plea before Wednesday's sentencing.
Assistant Criminal District Attorney Alexis O'Connor of the Criminal Trial Division led the prosecution, with assistance from victim advocate Jacky Gutierrez and investigator Edward Rohmer.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Ibarra's family," Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said. "We hope that today provides them with a measure of peace and closure."
