Teen: I killed friend

EDINBURG - A McAllen teen accused last year of striking his friend on the head with a hammer pleaded guilty to murder Monday.

Anthony Matthew Reyna, 18, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after admitting he killed Robert Reyna, 18, during a July 6 fight at a home on the 2400 block of Gumwood Avenue, near the intersection of North 23rd Street and Business 83.

The two teens are not related.

"It's a good outcome," Assistant District Attorney Orlando Esquivel said after Monday's court hearing. "We're satisfied with the sentence."

Prosecutors allege Anthony, known as "TO" to his friends, was fighting with Robert, known as "Kool-Aid," earlier in the evening before striking him once on the head with a hammer.

A group of several friends hanging out with the boys later told police that the two fought on and off throughout the night before their fatal confrontation in a backyard shed. They had to tear Robert and Anthony apart each time.

The teens reported that the fatal attack against Robert was not clearly visible to them because the shed was only illuminated by a strobe light. But one teen spotted Anthony holding a blue-handled, chrome-plated hammer shortly before the fatal blow to the left side of Robert's head, according to court documents.

Although no motive was identified in the case, officers did not believe the attack was gang related.

Anthony turned himself into police the next morning and has been held at the Hidalgo County Jail since then.

His case was set to go to trial Monday after several months of inquiries into whether he was competent to stand trial. His attorney, Brent Cavazos, questioned his ability to understand court proceedings because of a purported mental illness.

"His attorney felt he couldn't explain everything to him because of something like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder," Esquivel said.

It remains unclear exactly which disorder Cavazos based his claim on. He did not return several calls for comment Monday.

Anthony Reyna's sentencing term was part of his plea agreement with prosecutors. He will be eligible for parole in 2026.