Convicted Killer Accused Of Beheading, Torturing Cellmate In 'Gruesome' Slaying

A heavily tattooed convicted killer is accused of torturing and beheading his fellow cellmate in a "gruesome" slaying at Corcoran State Prison.

Jaime Osuna, 31, was arraigned on new murder charges Thursday in connection with the death of Luis Romero, 44, who was found decapitated in his cell March 9 with his finger severed and eye removed, local station KGET reports.

“It was a very gruesome case, certainly the most gruesome case I have seen in my career,” Kings County Assistant District Attorney Phil Esbenshade said.

Authorities believe Osuna attacked Romero with a sharp metal object wrapped in string with a handle in a brutal overnight assault that left the inmate dead. The makeshift weapon appeared to be made from some sort of razor and was later recovered in the prison cell, according to KSFN.

Investigators don’t know how long Romero was conscious for the grisly killing, however Esbenshade told the Associated Press in an email that prosecutors “do believe that the victim was conscious during at least a portion of the crime.”

He was found dead around 7:30 a.m. and died from “multiple sharp force trauma injuries,” according to the autopsy.

Osuna, who has pleaded not guilty to the new murder charges against him, could face the death penalty due to several special circumstances added to the charges because the crime was “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity.”

He is also facing charges of torture, mayhem and weapons possession.

Osuna is already serving a life sentence for the torture and murder of Yvette Pena, 37, in 2011.

Esbenshade said prosecutors are currently planning to prosecute Osuna on his latest charges in front of a jury.

“At this point we don’t intend to make any offers or deals extended,” he said, according to KFSN.

Osuna’s next court appearance is scheduled for June.