Freedom man pleads no contest in younger brother’s stabbing death

A 21-year-old Watsonville-area man pleaded no contest to manslaughter Wednesday for the stabbing death of his younger brother.

Autreydez Maldonado of Freedom was originally charged with murder for the death of 17-year-old Jeohanni Maldonado in November 2013.

After a preliminary hearing, a Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge ruled there was insufficient evidence for a murder charge but held Maldonado on the lesser charge of manslaughter.

A plea of no contest has the same legal effect as a guilty plea.

Assistant District Attorney Tara George said Maldonado faces a sentence of up to 12 years in prison. He’s scheduled for sentencing in January.