EDINBURG – A second defendant in a Hidalgo County capital murder case will spend more than four decades in prison. 

Angel Mario Garza accepted a plea deal for his role in the death of Martin Knell.

On Tuesday, a judge sentenced him to 45 years in prison. 

Court documents show Garza’s codefendant, Monica Melissa Patterson, was the benefactor of Knell’s estate following his death.

Prosecutors say Patterson instructed Garza to kill Knell.

Initially, Knell’s death was ruled as natural causes, but it was later determined he died of asphyxiation.

In November 2017, Patterson was sentenced to life in prison.

Garza must serve at least half his sentence before being eligible for parole.

If he is ever paroled, he will be deported.