The fate of an illegal immigrant on trial for the rape and murder of a New City mother is in the hands of a jury Wednesday.

Ronald Douglas Herrera-Castellanos, 30, is accused of raping, stabbing and strangling Mary Nagle to death while doing work at her home last April. Herrera took the stand in his own defense Tuesday and claimed he doesn?t remember much about the day of the murder. Herrera says the night before he was drinking and using cocaine. He says he only remembers waking up next to Nagle?s mutilated body on April 30. Herrera?s attorney says that if jurors find Herrera was too intoxicated to form the intent to kill Nagle, they may have to acquit him on most charges. Herrera is charged with first and second-degree murder, rape and other crimes. He could face life in prison without parole if convicted.

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