Prison for man who killed over smelly feet

HOUSTON, July 9 (UPI) -- A Houston man who prosecutors said stabbed his roommate to death during an argument about foot odor has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.

William Antonio Serrano, 23, who pleaded no contest in May to murder charges related to the October death of his roommate Noel Quintanilla-Vaquero, 21, told District Judge Mike Anderson that he killed Quintanilla-Vaquero in self defense, the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday.

However, Harris County Assistant District Attorney Joe Vinas said there was no evidence to support Serrano's claim. Vinas said Serrano will be eligible for parole after serving at least half of his sentence.

A third roommate, a woman, had told investigators that she heard Vinas arguing with Quintanilla-Vaquero about the odor of the second man's feet. She said she saw Vinas stab Quintanilla-Vaquero.

Quintanilla-Vaquero was stabbed 16 times, prosecutors said.

Serrano's court-appointed attorney said his client is appealing the sentence.