US court sentences murderer of Khammam student to 60 years in prison

Hyderabad: A higher court in the US has sentenced the man who killed Varun Raj Pucha, a 24-year-old from Khammam, to 60 years in prison. Pucha, who studied computer science at Valparaiso University, was killed by Jordan Andrade on October 29, 2023.

Andrade, who was arrested by police shortly after the murder, initially pleaded not guilty. In June he changed his plea and pleaded guilty, but said he was mentally ill. Andrade claimed to suffer from bipolar illness and schizophrenia.

A murder conviction in the US state of Indiana punishes the defendant with 45 to 65 years in prison. The prosecutor said Andrade was facing 60 years in prison when he negotiated a deal and pleaded guilty.

Pucha, who was just two months away from graduating, was sitting in a massage chair at a fitness club when he was attacked with a knife by Andrade. Pucha died during treatment in hospital.

In testimony, Andrade’s father, Joe Andrade, said he attacked his two brothers three times. After his mental health began to deteriorate, Jordan Andrade began laughing and mumbling to himself, had trouble sleeping, and became paranoid.

Jordan Andrade’s parents expressed their deep sadness to Pucha’s family. “I wish the victim’s family were here so we could express how sorry we are. The son I knew would never have done that,” Joe Andrade said.

Although Jordan Andrade will be sentenced to 60 years, the decision whether he will serve his time in a traditional prison or a mental institution will be made by the Indiana Department of Corrections after further analysis.