Man sentenced to 10 to 25 years in slaying of wife’s lover

A man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for gunning down his wife's lover was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Donald Mosley to spend 10 to 25 years in prison.

Miseal Arcadia was convicted by a jury in fall 2006 for the Feb. 11, 2006, shooting in Mesquite, but a second trial was granted after Mosley found defense attorney Philip Singer's representation of Arcadia to be substandard.

On the day of the shooting, Arcadia had left work early to get some pain medication at home and found Jose Orozco standing with his wife, Maria Flores, in front of the house, according to court transcripts.

Three days earlier Arcadia had seen photos of Orozco and Flores together that had made him feel like he would "faint with anger," Arcadia testified in the first trial.

The two men exchanged words, Arcadia testified, when Orozco began moving toward him.

Arcadia said the 9 mm handgun he had in his hand just went off, fatally striking Orozco in the chest.

After the first trial, Arcadia was convicted of second-degree murder with use of a deadly weapon, an enhancement that upped the sentence to 20 to 50 years in prison.

Before a second trial could get under way, Arcadia agreed to the plea deal.

Mosley on Tuesday gave Arcadia credit for the 31/2 years he has served. Arcadia will be eligible for parole in less than seven years.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.