Kaleb Vasquez: Kansas man who claimed 'the devil' told him to kill Walmart customer gets life sentence

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

LUBBOCK, TEXAS: A Lubbock jury sentenced a 23-year-old man from Kansas to life in prison on Thursday, March 21. 

Kaleb Vasquez's defense argued that he was in the throes of a methamphetamine-induced psychotic episode nearly four years ago when he fatally shot a 42-year-old man at a Walmart in northwest Lubbock.

Vasquez, who has been incarcerated at the Lubbock County Detention Center since December 5, 2020, pleaded guilty on Monday to murdering 42-year-old Roel Munoz at the Walmart located in the 700 block of West Loop 289 on December 4, 2020.

Kaleb Vasquez’s motive behind murder of Roel Munoz

The trial's first day started with the state giving its opening statements, addressing the motive behind the random Walmart killing. The state told the jury that there was no clear reason for it. Then, the jury heard from various Walmart employees and customers who were present that day. 

One employee, who was in the pharmacy, heard a loud noise and went to check. She found Munoz's body and knew he was dead. 

Another woman, who was shopping, heard the gunshot nearby and found Munoz in a pool of blood. She saw a young man in a gray hoodie running away. She called 911, and the state played the recording for the jury. 

Surveillance footage showed Munoz adding items to his basket before Vasquez walked in, pulled out a gun, and shot him. The jury reacted audibly after watching the video. The defense team didn't give an opening statement and had few questions during cross-examination. 

The state played a call Vasquez made to his mother from jail, where he admitted to shooting someone he didn't know. 

Munoz's sister also testified, describing him as a loving husband who was only at Walmart to pick up medication for his wife, who later died of cancer. 

Kalab Vasquez’s defense team claimed zero justification for Roel Munoz’s murder

The defense team, which chose to postpone its opening statement until after presenting its case, initially emphasized to the jury that there's no justification for Munoz's murder. 

However, they assured the jury that the testimonies they would hear would shed light on the inexplicable act. The defense called only two witnesses, both of whom conducted mental health evaluations on Vasquez. 

One witness, a doctor, testified that Vasquez admitted to consuming a large amount of methamphetamine the day before the murder. Vasquez also reported experiencing hallucinations before entering Walmart. 

According to the doctor, Vasquez claimed that he was instructed by 'the devil' to kill Munoz, fearing that Munoz would harm his family if he didn't comply. 

During cross-examination, District Attorney Sunshine Stanek questioned the doctor about his familiarity with Vasquez and the extent of his investigation into Vasquez's medical history. 

The witness acknowledged that he had only recently met Vasquez, leading the state to argue that the witness's testimony relied solely on information provided by Vasquez and the defense.

Vasquez chose not to testify in his own defense. 

Both sides concluded their cases on Wednesday afternoon, with closing arguments scheduled for Thursday morning.

Judge McClendon pronounced the sentence on Thursday, ordering Kaleb Vasquez to serve 30 years of his life sentence before being considered eligible for parole, according to KCBD.