Illegal Immigrant convicted of First Degree Murder in strangulation of his girlfriend

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A jury has convicted a man of murdering his girlfriend more than two years ago.

Hamilton County Prosecutors say 21 year old Jose Ramirez strangled his girlfriend, Oliva Pena in August of 2022.

He said he choked her and then fell asleep.

When he woke up, she was unresponsive.

But District Attorney Coty Wamp says the murder was premeditated.

She also says Ramirez was in the country illegally.