Seattle, WA
2 sentenced for tampering with corpse of Seattle woman killed in Dallas in 2020
The two accused accomplices to the 2020 murder of a young Seattle woman pleaded guilty to tampering with a corpse and were sentenced this week for their roles in her disappearance.
A judge handed down a six-year sentence against Charles Beltran, 35, on Friday for failing to call police after witnessing the fatal stabbing of Marisela Botello-Valadez on Oct. 5, 2020. Nina Marano, 52, struck a deal with prosecutors earlier this week and will serve eight years for helping dump Botello’s body. Her fragmented skeleton was found 170 days later off a country road in southern Dallas County.
Beltran and Marano appeared in court Friday morning to face Botello’s family, who gave victim impact statements. Absent from the Dallas County courtroom was Lisa Dykes, who was convicted of Botello’s murder in December and sentenced to life in prison. Dykes is also serving a concurrent 20-year sentence for tampering.
“Hearing the name of my daughter being said, you don’t know the harm that it’s done to me and my family,” Marisela’s mother, Ernestina Valadez, said in Spanish. “I hope that when you leave here, you don’t go through this — what I’m going through — because it’s horrible, and I don’t wish that on anyone. I’m physically and mentally sick.”
She added: “I hope that you will repent for what you did, and the day you get out, you have that peace with what you did and what you didn’t do to help my daughter.”
Beltran’s attorneys advocated for the minimum sentence, two years. Tampering with a corpse, a second-degree felony, carries up to 20 years in prison.
“We do think this was fair given his unfortunate role of not contacting the police after the fact and 170 days lingering,” defense attorney Myra McIntosh told The Dallas Morning News. “He’s at peace with it.”
When asked about Beltran’s reaction to his sentence, McIntosh said he felt “relief that it’s over, relief that the family has justice, relief that he has some sense of where his life is headed and how much time he actually has to do for this offense.”
Marano’s attorney, Valerie Baston,said she was happy to strike a deal with prosecutors. Baston, who also represented Dykes at trial, said Dykes continues to maintain she’s innocent of Botello’s murder.
A spokeswoman for the Dallas County district attorney’s office declined to comment.
Botello was described as a trusting, vibrant young woman who loved to travel. She’d booked cheap, spontaneous plane tickets to visit an old friend in Dallas over a long weekend in October 2020.
Testimony at Dykes’ weeklong trial provided the most thorough account of what allegedly happened Oct. 5. The trial relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and testimony from Beltran.
Beltran, Dykes and Marano were in a physical and romantic relationship, prosecutors said. Dykes supported Beltran financially and invested in his budding rap career, while Beltran gave Dykes companionship, according to prosecutors. Dykes married Marano, a lawyer, and the trio moved into a Mesquite home.
How did this happen?
Botello was bar-hopping alone in Deep Ellum, and Beltran told jurors he wooed her; Beltran said they went back to the Mesquite home, had sex and fell asleep.
In the early hours, Beltran testified he awoke to screams of “help me, help me,” and saw Dykes straddling Botello, grasping a knife and making a stabbing motion. He said he pushed Dykes and Botello tumbled off the bed.
In shock, Beltran said he went into the bathroom and splashed water on his face. When he went back into his bedroom, he said Dykes was standing over Botello’s lifeless body in a red-stained nightgown. He said blood oozed from Botello’s naked chest, seeping into the carpet.
“What did I do? What did I do?” Beltran recalled Dykes muttering.
He recalled telling Dykes, “You need to figure this s— out, you told me to leave.” Beltran put on clothes and left. He got an oil change and visited a friend.
Discarded like trash
Prosecutors said Marano and Dykes left Botello’s body in Wilmer, two miles from where Dykes once lived. Prosecutors said Botello was discarded like trash. Her skull and a few bones were found March 2021 in a muddy farmed and wooded field by someone laying traps for feral cats.
Botello’s family grew worried when she missed her return flight. They traced her rideshare receipts and bank activity to pinpoint her last known locations, and there was no activity on her cellphone, bank account or social media accounts, and police honed in on Beltran as a person of interest early in the investigation.
After the killing, Dykes, Marano and Beltran traveled between Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida and Mexico. Marano and Dykes were arrested separately in Florida, while Beltran was taken into custody in Utah.
Escape to Cambodia
Dykes and Marano were released from jail on bail, removed their court-issued ankle monitors and went on the lam to a coastal town in Cambodia. Dykes said they fled to seek asylum. When confronted by Cambodian and U.S. authorities, Dykes brazenly asked, “What jurisdiction do you have here,” prosecutors said.
The trio faced murder charges, but prosecutors asked a judge to dismiss the charges against Marano and Beltran “in the interest of justice” amid Dykes’ trial.
On Friday, prosecutor Robin Pittman said Beltran acted callous, selfish and self-centered immediately after Botello’s murder. Pittman said he “lacked any empathy or sympathy” for Botello’s family.
Defense attorneys argued that, while in Dallas County jail, Beltran was a “model inmate” and eventually accepted responsibility for his role in tampering with Botello’s body. McIntosh, his attorney, said he’s shown the “greatest form of remorse and regret under these circumstances.”
He cooperated with prosecutors and was an integral witness in their cases against Dykes and Marano; prosecutors said Friday that they believe Beltran has integrity “in his heart.”
Beltran took the stand in his own defense, saying he wants to reform himself and is considering rehab and therapy after prison. He also aspires to become a trucker and be a better dad for his two daughters. Beltran struggled at times during his testimony while addressing Botello’s family, but he apologized for his actions and asked them for mercy.
Judge Nancy Mulder admonished Marano, who was a licensed attorney, for her role in dumping Botello’s body: “With all of her education and background in the legal field, I can not imagine and in anyway understand the choices that she made that day to participate in this cover-up and disposal of a beloved daughter and sister.”
“You must know that every day that you’re in prison serving your sentence, whatever discomfort that you feel will never equate the agony that this poor woman’s mother, father and brother suffered not knowing where she was, not knowing what happened to her,” Mulder told Beltran and Marano.
“I can only hope that your sentences will somehow bring comfort to them and their bereavement.”
Seattle, WA
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks Prediction: Odds, Best Bets, Player News, Injuries, and Stats
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks Preview
The Arizona Cardinals are 6-4, and Jonathan Gannon should be the favorite for coach of the year. After a tough start to the season, the Cardinals have ripped off five straight wins. Their win over the Chargers is the most impressive of them all.
The Cardinals have been a good mix of solid passing performances and a well-balanced rushing attack, led by quarterback Kyler Murray.
They head to Seattle this week to take on Geno Smith and the 5-5 Seahawks.
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Seahawks, and they are on a bit of a bad run, losing three of their last five games.
Luckily, with the return of DK Metcalf, they should be a bit stronger on the offensive side of the ball.
The Seahawks have missed Metcalf’s production and ability to stretch the field and take the top off the defense.
The Cardinals are the only team without a conference loss, so they should enter this game as betting favorites and with a great deal of confidence.
Listen to the Bet the Edge podcast as hosts Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick provide listeners with sharp actionable insight, market analysis and statistical data to help bettors gain more information before placing their wagers. So, whether you’re targeting spreads and totals, looking for value in futures markets or circling player props, give their podcast a listen to give you that extra edge.
How to Watch Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks Live on Sunday:
- Date: Sunday, November 24, 2024
- Time: 4:25 PM ET
- Site: Lumen Field
- City: Seattle, WA
- TV/Streaming: FOX
Latest Game Odds for Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks – Week 12
The latest odds as of Friday morning, courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Arizona Cardinals (-110), Seattle Seahawks (-110)
- Spread: Cardinals -1
- Total: 44.5
The Seahawks enter this game as a 1.5-point favorite. Given the success of the Cardinals, the line has since moved in favor of Arizona, making them a 1-point favorite.
NBC Sports Bet Best Bets
NBC Sports analyst Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is eyeing Seattle +1
Thomas: “This game is blah… If there were a skip button, it would be this one for me. Not that it won’t be a compelling game; I am just struggling to find a reason bet to take. Gun to my head, I would take Seahawks +1 at -105. With Metcalf returning, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has his full arsenal of talented weapons at his disposal.”
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks Team Stats, Betting Trends
- The Cardinals are 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a road underdog
- The Seahawks have won five straight games against the Cardinals
- The Seahawks have won five straight games against the Cardinals
- The Cardinals are 2-0 against the NFC West this season
- The Cardinals have won 5 of their last 6 games
Quarterback Matchup for Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
- Cardinals: Kyler Murray returned to action in Week 10, showing flashes of his dynamic playmaking ability that he had prior to his injury. Murray has thrown for 2,058 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.
- Seahawks: Geno Smith has had a turnover problem. He’s thrown for 2,781 yards and 11 touchdowns, so some may say he’s been good. However, it’s hard to ignore the 11 interceptions he has thrown.
Player News & Injuries
- Cardinals:
- S Jalen Thompson (ankle) is OUT
- LB Xavier Thomas (back) is questionable
- DE Darius Robinson (calf) is questionable
- OT Jonah Williams (knee) is questionable
- K Matt Prater is on the IR
- Seahawks:
- TE Noah Fant (groin) is questionable
- TE Brady Russell (foot) is OUT
- WR Laviska Shenault Jr (back) is questionable
- OT George Fant (knee) is on the IR
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest and tools for the NFL, including game predictions, player props, futures, and trends!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle
Hannah Corbin
Fairmont Olympic Hotel, one of Seattle’s most renowned luxury hotels, is full of festive spirit thanks to a partnership with the Seattle Festival of Trees Guild and Seattle’s Children Hospital.
Displaying over 20 uniquely decorated Christmas trees, each one tells the story of a patient from Seattle Children’s Hospital. Guests and visitors can marvel at the beautiful designs, which range from classic to whimsical, with the trees on display throughout the lobby and mezzanine levels of the hotel.
The trees are available for purchase, starting from $4,200, and vary in size and width—most trees are between 7-foot and 8-foot in height. On display now until Dec. 2, proceeds from every sale will benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital Uncompensated Care and Autism Center.
“We are deeply honored to have shared a cherished partnership with the Seattle Festival of Trees Guild and Seattle Children’s Hospital for decades. At the heart of Fairmont is our commitment to turning moments into special memories, and this beloved holiday tradition transforms our hotel into a festive haven,” said Sunny Joseph, General Manager of Fairmont Olympic Hotel. “It warmly welcomes longtime Fairmont guests, members of the local community, visitors from near and far, and our colleagues, who eagerly anticipate this event each year.”
Discovering Narnia tree.
Hannah Corbin
The Seattle Festival of Trees program has been a key part of Washington’s festive season for 47 years, working with around a dozen designers to create eye-catching themed Christmas trees to celebrate the magic of Christmas in style.
“Many of us have family members who’ve been treated or cared for at Seattle Children’s so this is definitely a labor of love,” explained Daphne Darst, Chair, Designer and Member of Seattle Festival of Trees Guild. “Hospital patients are paired with each tree and we designers are always interested in reading about the child’s health struggles and inspired to do whatever we can to impact and support the hospital’s work.”
To officially kick off the 2024 Seattle Festival of Trees season, the hotel is hosting a gala on Nov. 23, an evening that includes wine, passed hor d’ oeuvres, silent and live auctions, a raffle, gourmet dinner and more.
Trees are on display until Dec. 2.
Hannah Corbin
In addition to the Festival of Trees, the hotel hosts an annual Teddy Bear Suite starting Thanksgiving day. The suite, which has been a part of Fairmont Olympic tradition for almost 25 years, is free to enter and features 100 teddy bears and plenty of cozy features to enchant kids and adults alike.
MORE FROM FORBES
On Thursday night, it was announced that Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh had finished 12th in the American League MVP voting. This concluded an unbelievable award season for the M’s catcher. In addition to finishing 12th in the MVP voting, Raleigh was a finalist for the American League Silver Slugger. He also won both the Gold Glove at catcher and the Platinum Glove in the American League.
However, the MVP news wasn’t the biggest piece of Raleigh-related news on Thursday. According to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, Raleigh dropped agent Scott Boras in favor Excel Sports Management.
Seattle Mariners Gold Glove catcher Cal Raleigh has switched his representation to Excel Sports Management, per sources.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) November 21, 2024
Now, we don’t officially know the reason for the change, but some Mariners fans online took it to mean that the M’s have a greater chance of signing Raleigh to an extension now.
Take @MarinerMuse for example:
Fine, I’ll say it out loud:
This is the move you make if you want to sign an extension and you have the free agency manipulation agent.
Fine, I’ll say it out loud:
This is the move you make if you want to sign an extension and you have the free agency manipulation agent.
— Mariner Muse (@MarinerMuse) November 21, 2024
Raleigh is headed into arbitration this season and is under contract through the 2027 regardless. The M’s certainly would want to lock Raleigh up long-term as he’s one of the best catchers in all of baseball, but it only gets harder to do as he gets closer to free agency.
Furthermore, he’s 27 years old now, making an extension that takes him to 32-33 more desirable than giving him a long-term deal in the future. He’ll be 30 when his rookie deal ends and any extension would likely take him deep into his mid-30s.
Raleigh hit 34 homers this year to lead all catchers. He drove in 100 runs also, in addition to his defensive prowess.
Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast by clicking HERE:
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