Who is Ericka Nicole McDonald? Texas woman sentenced for stabbing her mother to death
HOUSTON, TEXAS: Ericka Nicole McDonald, aged 31, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on November 2, 2023, after pleading guilty to stabbing her mother, Terri Mendoza, aged 51, to death in her apartment on August 16, 2021.
Prosecutors stated that Ericka broke into her mother's apartment through a window while wearing a mask and black clothes. She fatally stabbed her mother before leaving the scene, changing her clothes, and returning, pretending she had no idea what had taken place.
The conviction and punishment cannot be appealed, and Ericka has to serve at least half of her prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
In a press release by the Harris County District Attorney's Office, DA Kim Ogg stated, "This is a tragic case and should not have happened, but prosecutors with our Homicide Division were able to get justice for the victim.”
Ericka Nicole McDonald was identified by eyewitnesses
Prosecutors stated that Ericka was staying with her family in a nearby apartment when she killed her mother. She was arrested by the Houston police after an eyewitness identified her, despite her wearing a mask at the time of committing the crime.
According to investigators, Ericka entered the apartment and began stabbing her mother and her then 63-year-old aunt. The witness, her wounded aunt, reported seeing her attempting CPR on her mother, who later died at a hospital, before leaving the scene.
Soon after the stabbing, Ericka returned to her mother’s apartment under the impression that the mask had sufficiently concealed her identity and told law enforcement officials that she was unaware of the crime that took place. However, she was identified by her aunt.
ABC13 reported that police later discovered blood-stained clothes and a knife in her apartment.
Ericka Nicole McDonald was reportedly intoxicated during her attack
Investigators stated that Ericka got engaged in a fight with her mother and her aunt which prompted the family to call the police twice to their apartment on the fateful day, once for disturbance and soon after for a wellness check.
The responding officers reportedly wanted to arrest an allegedly drunk Ericka on charges of child endangerment and assault. However, prosecutors did not proceed due to a lack of evidence. Mendoza was fatally stabbed about 6 hours later.
Assistant District Attorney Casey Smith, who prosecuted the case, stated, "It was important to get justice in this case, and a plea agreement means she will go to prison for what she did and cannot appeal."