Report: Phil Baroni could get 50 to 75 years in prison for alleged murder, neighbors saw ‘violent temper’

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Retired MMA fighter Phil Baroni could face even more serious consequences than previously thought if convicted for attempted murder in Nayarit, Mexico.

That’s according to ESPN.com, which reported on Wednesday that Baroni could be sentenced to between 50 and 75 years in prison for “aggravated femicide,” the charge made against him after police found dead a woman said to be the ex-UFC fighter’s girlfriend.

Baroni initially was thought to face a potential sentence of 30 to 50 years, ESPN reported. But a Nayarit prosecutor said the ex-UFC fighter’s skills could be used against him in court to enhance the potential punishment.

According to ESPN.com , Baroni told police that the woman had hit his head while he was pushing her into the shower. He then claimed that he later discovered her unconscious and had stepped out for cigarettes and beer. Police allegedly found 37 separate injuries on the woman — characterized as “from head to toes” — that contradicted Baroni’s account and charged him with murder.

According to court records, the victim’s sister stated that she witnessed bruises, hematomas, and asked her sister to inform Baroni of this. But the alleged victim feared a violent reprisal, per the report. Neighbors also testified to Baroni’s “violent temper.”

Baroni has retained a private attorney after initially being represented in court by a public defender. Prosecutors say he can reduce his potential sentence by 25 percent with a guilty plea; they plan to fight his extradition to the U.S. due to the seriousness of the crime.

A judge on Monday called for a six-month period of discovery to investigate the charge against Baroni, per ESPN.com. Baroni will remain in a Mexico state jail while his case is pending but could be transferred to a federal facility.

ESPN.com reporter Carlos Contreras Legaspi said prosecutors now seek harsher sentences in “femicide” cases to deter violence against women.

Baroni, a 19-year MMA vet, retired in 2019 after competing for all of the biggest promotions in the sport, including the UFC, PRIDE, Strikeforce, Bellator and ONE Championship.

Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/1/11/23550698/report-phil-baroni-could-get-50-to-75-years-prison-for-alleged-murder-neighbors-saw-violent-temper?rand=96749

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