Fighter relieved he won’t be charged in stabbing

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A professional mixed martial artist says prosecutors’ decision to not charge him in the fatal stabbing of an intruder at his New Mexico home is a relief.

The District Attorney’s office in Las Cruces announced Thursday that an investigation did not produce evidence to prove that Joseph Torrez killed 25-year-old Sal Garces on Jan. 1 without legal justification.

Sheriff’s officials have said Torrez fatally stabbed Garces after Garces and other people forced their way into Torrez’s home.

The Las Cruces Sun-News (http://bit.ly/1jZbyAG ) reports that Torrez spoke publicly about the matter for the first time after prosecutors announced their decision.

Torrez says he acted to protect himself and his family but that he finds it difficult to think about taking another man’s life.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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