Luisa Ines Tudela Harris Cutting, a 21-year-old student at Radford University in Virginia, has pleaded guilty to the murder of her best friend Alexa Cannon. According to a report from the Daily Mail, Cutting, who was president of the Latinos Student Alliance, took a drug cocktail which led to a “psychotic episode” where she stabbed her friend 30 times.
Cutting had cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, Adderall, Xanax and marijuana in her system. She had told authorities that she was “doing cocaine with the devil.” She was also rambling about the apocalypse and was repeating the Hail Mary prayer in Spanish.
“There are no words for this tragedy and my heart is filled with sorrow and grief,” Cutting said from a statement in court, according to the Roanoke Times.
Following her guilty plea, the 21-year-old was sentenced to 20 years in prison for second-degree murder.
Since the murder, Cutting’s attorney claims that his client has become sober.
Chris Rehak, Radford City Commonwealth’s Attorney, issued a statement after the sentencing for the “extraordinarily unusual” event.
“This case was extraordinarily unusual and the guilty plea today ends criminal proceedings in this tragic and mysterious event. It was an honor and privilege to represent the life of Alexa Cannon. I worked with her family, who provided thoughtful input and helped craft the plea agreement terms which reflect a complex balance of facts, trial options and proportionality,” the statement read, via WDBJ-7.
“Perhaps more importantly, the agreement secured a murder conviction, avoided any appeals and spared Alexa’s family and friends the anguish and anxiety of trial. The Commonwealth also considered the impact and viability of defenses such as insanity, irresistible impulse and voluntary intoxication. Second degree murder appropriately fit our specific facts, reflects the provable criminal intent and achieves justice. The twenty-year active sentence is at the high end of second degree murder sentencing guidelines which recommend 12 years and 9 months to 21 years and 4 months with a midpoint of 17 years and 1 month.”
Our deepest condolences go out to Cannon’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
