Man Pleads No Contest In Attempted Murder Of Wife In San Carlos

SAN CARLOS, CA (BCN) — A 43-year-old man pleaded no contest Wednesday to attempted murder charges for attacking his then-wife and slashing her in the face with a screwdriver in San Carlos in 2018, San Mateo County prosecutors said.

James Gallardo Flores Jr., who has a prior felony conviction, entered the plea to attempted murder, residential burglary and felony threats charges in exchange for a sentence of no more than 23 years and four months in prison, according to the district attorney's office.

Flores initially attacked the victim on Nov. 8, 2018, accusing her of cheating. He grabbed her, pushed her against a wall and covered her mouth and nose so she couldn't breath and said he was going to kill her, then left, prosecutors said.

The woman obtained a restraining order against Flores, but he returned to their apartment on Nov. 19 with their three young children present.

He broke a window to get into the unit and the victim tried to lock the bedroom door, but Flores forced it open and punched her repeatedly, then slashed her with a screwdriver in the face and eyes, prosecutors said.

Sheriff's deputies arrived and arrested Flores. The victim suffered serious face and head fractures but survived the attack, according to the district attorney's office.

Flores will return to court on Feb. 20 for imposition of the sentence. He remains in custody on $11 million bail and his defense attorney was not immediately available for comment on the case.

— Bay City News Service