Sandra Rios, 54, pleaded guilty Thursday to murder in the death of Sammy Marks. Rios had been facing a possible sentence of life in prison. Under Texas law, she will be eligible for parole after serving half of her sentence in actual calendar time.
Rios stabbed Marks, 71, in the chest with a kitchen knife at his home in the 1600 block of West Alabama Street on March 8, 2025, after an early-morning argument. Investigators said the fight started when Marks complained about Rios being too loud while making food.
Rios left the home after the stabbing and was arrested about a block away.
Public records list Marks as the home’s owner since at least 2023. The property is recognizable for a large sign that once advertised tarot card and psychic readings. It’s unclear if Marks had a relationship with the business.
The relationship between Rios and Marks had been marked by violence even before his death. In January 2025, she was charged with aggravated assault after threatening him with a pair of scissors, according to court records. One bail document showed that Rios was required to obtain a GPS monitor within three business days, but prosecutors said she never did.
In 2024, Rios was accused of striking Marks in the head with a flashlight, threatening him with a knife and damaging a window at his home, according to court records. Some of the cases against Rios were dismissed at Marks’ request, records show.