Defense Rests in Trial of Felon Accused of Killing Indio Store Patron

The defense rested Thursday in the trial of a parolee accused of fatally stabbing a convenience store customer during a confrontation in Indio.

Vicente Angel Munoz, 32, of La Quinta, is charged with murder, a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony and parole violations for the 2020 slaying of 29-year-old Maurice Brock of Indio.

The defense summoned several witnesses to the Riverside Hall of Justice Thursday, after which the attorneys informed Riverside County Superior Court Judge Charles Koosed they had completed their presentation of evidence. Prosecutors began rebuttal testimony, which was slated to conclude Monday. Closing statements were expected to go forward Tuesday.

Munoz is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail.

According to an evidentiary brief attached to motions filed by the District Attorney's Office, the defendant confronted Brock in the parking lot of the Circle K at 79-985 Highway 111 shortly before 1 a.m. on March 14, 2020.

Munoz's behavior had been erratic that night, and there was never a clear explanation for why the victim was targeted. He was a regular customer at the convenience store, while Munoz was a stranger, according to witnesses.

During the encounter, the parolee became physical with the victim, who tried to push him away, at which point the defendant pulled a knife and stabbed Brock, who ran but only made it a short distance before Munoz caught up with him and allegedly stabbed him again, then fled the location on foot, according to the prosecution.

Brock was taken to JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio, where he died less than an hour later.

Munoz returned to his family's residence at 79-290 Camino Rosada, where he turned hostile with his brother and others, who called 911 saying "Vicente is waving a knife at the family," court papers stated.

Sheriff's deputies, who were already investigating the deadly knife assault, obtained a description of the assailant at the house and realized it matched the man who had allegedly perpetrated the attack on Brock.

They went to the La Quinta residence and arrested Munoz without incident.

Court records show that the defendant has prior convictions for robbery, domestic violence, theft and vandalism.