Teen murder suspects 'motivated by satan'

Two US teenagers have been charged with the sexual assault and ritual murder of a 15-year-old girl, after the victim was found with an upside down cross carved into her stomach.

Jose E Reyes, 17, and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly lured Corriann Cervantes to an empty Houston, Texas apartment on February 5, KHOU reported.

Prosecutors painted a sadistic picture of Reyes, who they claim convinced a friend to brutally murder the teen to help him "sell his soul to the devil".

"They discussed the fact that Mr Reyes had sold his soul to the devil, and if they ended up killing this teenager, this would allow the 16-year-old to also sell his soul to the devil," Harris County assistant attorney John Jordan said.

Ms Cervantes' body was discovered inside the building at the weekend.

She had disappeared some days earlier.

Police said a neighbour entered the second floor apartment to find the victim surrounded by "religious and cult items".

The 15-year-old, who attended the same school as Reyes, had been tortured and sexually assaulted.

It is believed an ashtray and toilet seat found nearby were used to beat the victim.

If convicted, Reyes is too young to receive the death penalty but could be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The unidentified 16-year-old has been referred to the juvenile probation authority where he could also face life in prison.

Source: KHOU
Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Matthew Henry