COLLIN COUNTY, Texas — A Collin County jury has sentenced a McKinney man to life in prison after he admitted to beating his friend to death with a pipe during a violent attack in New Hope.
Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that 53-year-old Pablo Berrios was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder.
The killing occurred on Sept. 27, 2025, when Collin County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a disturbance call near Drift Drive in New Hope.
When deputies arrived, they found the victim suffering from multiple blunt force injuries to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities located Berrios outside the residence with blood on his hands and clothing.
Investigators also interviewed the victim's wife, who witnessed the attack and identified Berrios as the assailant.
After waiving his constitutional rights, Berrios gave a detailed statement to Investigator Ramiro Acosta.
According to prosecutors, Berrios admitted that after a minor argument with the victim, he "just snapped," grabbed a pipe, and repeatedly struck the victim in the head and face with the intent to kill him.
Investigators said Berrios told them he paused the assault to go outside and smoke a cigarette before returning to continue the attack, stating, "If you are going to do it, do it right."
Following his guilty plea, a Collin County jury heard evidence, including Berrios' confession and witness testimony, before sentencing him to life in prison.
"This was a brutal, senseless murder," District Attorney Greg Willis said. "Pablo Berrios beat his friend to death with a pipe in front of the victim's own wife, then casually paused to smoke a cigarette before finishing the attack. Today, a Collin County jury made sure he will spend the rest of his life behind bars."
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Alex Oestreich and Claire Kirk, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Joshua Duncan and Victim Assistance Coordinator Jill Moore.
