One-legged man beats friend over socks

RIO GRANDE CITY - A fight over footwear prompted a one-legged man to sock it to what authorities described as his attacker with a pair of aluminum crutches, Starr County sheriff's deputies said Tuesday.

Heriberto Garcia Treviño, 46, told deputies the man stabbed him several times in the forearm with what appeared to be a box cutter after Garcia refused to loan the man a pair of socks, according to deputies.

Investigators believe Garcia and 62-year-old Rafael Hernandez had been drinking just after 2 a.m. Saturday at the younger man's home in the small community of Saliñeno, near the Zapata County line.

Hernandez, who neighbors described as homeless, became violent after Garcia turned down the request, Sheriff Rene Fuentes said.

When investigators arrived at Garcia's home, they found Hernandez seriously injured and bleeding but still conscious. He remained hospitalized as of late Tuesday night.

Garcia, who walks using a combination of the crutches and a prosthetic leg, admitted to hitting the man several times in the neck, the sheriff said.

Deputies continue to investigate the case and said they will determine whether they will press charges against either man after they have had a chance to interview Hernandez.

"What we know about the case all comes from (Garcia)," Fuentes said. "We have to see what (Hernandez) has to say."

Attempts to reach Garcia at his home Tuesday were unsuccessful.