The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld, or agreed, with a ruling from Judge Gary McKenzie in a murder case in Cumberland County.

Rony Noe Ambrocio Cruz was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder. Cruz was sentenced in October 2022 to 25 years in prison, to be served at 100 percent.

Authorities found his wife, Sante Ceciliar Mendez, deceased in a wooded area near Village Lane in August 2020. Officers later reportedly found evidence Cruz was responsible for her death. Law enforcement stated she was beaten, stabbed, and strangled.