An Atlantic City man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after admitting to a fatally stabbing a New York man in 2023.
Julio Felix Vazquez-Dones, 38, was captured on surveillance video armed with a golf club and a knife chasing 31-year-old Jewel Lonon.
Police called to the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue at about 5 a.m. July 8, 2023, found Lonon dead.
Vazquez-Dones' previously claimed he was defending his family after the victim had banged on the window of Carmine's, the restaurant where he worked that is owned by his in-laws, according to information presented at his detention hearing in 2023.
His defense attorney at the time claimed Vazquez-Dones believed the victim had a gun.
Surveillance footage showed Vazquez-Dones wearing a blue shirt and blue shorts chasing the victim into the parking lot of the Red-Carpet Inn. The suspect then assaulted and stabbed the victim.
Vazquez-Dones pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in October. He also admitted to discarding his clothes and the weapon after stabbing Lonon multiple times.
He must serve at least 85 percent — or 21 years and three months — under the No Early Release Act.
Vazquez-Dones remains jailed pending transfer to state prison.
