380-pound defendant pleads guilty to fatal beating

Bernando Crisanto, 25, who is wanted in connection with the fatal beating of Juan Romero, 41, on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. Courtesy/San Antonio Police Department Bernando Crisanto, 25, who is wanted in connection with the fatal beating of Juan Romero, 41, on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. Courtesy/San Antonio Police Department Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close 380-pound defendant pleads guilty to fatal beating 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A 6-foot-7, 380-pound San Antonio man charged with beating to death a man who was more than one foot shorter and 250 pounds lighter has pleaded guilty to murder.

Bernardo “Tiny” Crisanto, 26, is one of three arrested for the October 2012 slaying of 5-foot-4, 130-pound Juan Romero, 41, as he left a Vance Jackson Road grocery store.

Co-defendants Larry Castro, 41, and Jose Velez, 30, are still awaiting trial.

Police said the trio kicked, punched and stomped Romero, causing blunt force injuries to his head and chest and causing one of his several broken ribs to puncture his heart. The motive for the attack was unclear, police said.

In exchange for Crisanto's guilty plea Monday, he will face no more than 20 years in prison when he is sentenced next month by 187th state District Judge Raymond Angelini. speshek@express-news.net

Twitter: @Sam_Peshek