A National City man has been ordered to stand trial for murder after a judge heard the man’s 911 call in which he admitted to killing his wife.
The 911 call was played during the preliminary hearing of Jose Hernandez Cruz, 44, in which Cruz admitted to stabbing Angelica Vargas Hernandez, 38, on Dec. 29, 2015.
Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Dwayne Moring heard the recorded call as presented by Deputy District Attorney Samira Seidu. A transcript of the call by Cruz was also provided to the court and a trial date was set for Nov. 8.
A dispatcher asked Cruz what happened and Cruz replied he struck his wife “with a knife on the chest.” A deputy medical examiner testified the cause of death was a stab wound to the upper chest and neck.
Three National City Police officers also testified July 25. One officer said Cruz told him he had a problem with his wife, but not with the officers as he was being arrested.
Angelica Hernandez is survived by five children, none of whom were home at the time. The incident took place after 10 p.m. in the home in the 2500 block of I Avenue near East 26th Street.
The deputy medical examiner also testified that the victim had other injuries which include wounds to her palm, one finger, right hand wrist, and right elbow.
She was non responsive and paramedics declared her dead at the scene.
After the hearing, Cruz pleaded not guilty, and he remains in jail on $2 million bail.
