Judge Sentences ‘Ruthless Monster' to Life for Gang-Related Slaying

A man who stabbed a Maryland father of two dozens of times in a gruesome murder will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Gang member Mauricio Morales-Caceres killed 36-year-old Oscar Navarro of Silver Spring to earn recognition and status in the gang, according to the prosecution. Video shows Morales-Caceres getting a gang tatto just hours after the crime. Prosecutors believe he was celebrating the crime.

In sentencing him to life without parole, the judge agreed with the victim's sister-in-law in calling Morales-Caceres a ruthless, brutal monster.

Morales-Caceres stabbed Navarro 89 times and cut out his liver and placed it on his chest, according to the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office.

A family member found Navarro dead at an apartment building in the 14600 block of King Lear Court Dec. 23, 2014.

Investigators said they tied Morales-Caceres to the murder from a bloody fingerprint and sneaker print he left at the scene.

Morales-Caceres and Navarro knew each other, police said.

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