THE DARK SIDE OF FLORIDA
James Arauz
#B12087
photo courtesy FDC
Full Name: James Arauz
Date of birth: September 28, 1989
Conviction: 2nd-degree murder
County: Miami-Dade
City: Miami
Current Location: Tomoka Work Camp
Date of Crime: October 15, 2009
Tentative discharge date: October 21, 2025
Victim(s): Vincent Pravata
Date of birth: September 28, 1989
Conviction: 2nd-degree murder
County: Miami-Dade
City: Miami
Current Location: Tomoka Work Camp
Date of Crime: October 15, 2009
Tentative discharge date: October 21, 2025
Victim(s): Vincent Pravata
James Arauz was a student at Florida International University in Miami and had known Vincent Pravata for several years. James sometimes performed odd jobs for Vincent. Vincent occasionally flirted with James and asked him about his sexual preferences.
On October 15, 2009, prior going to Vincent’s house, James told his girlfriend he was going to get some money. James had been fired from his job at Babies ‘r’ Us, so the couple needed the money. He then went to Vincent’s house to obtain a letter of reference, which Vincent had promised to provide for an internship application by James. James mother worked for Vincent as a housekeeper. James, an engineering student, said that Vincent, the openly gay man, occasionally made comments about James “beautiful eyes” and asked him if he’d ever thought about gay sex.
James testified that when he got to Vincent’s home, Vincent demanded sexual favors in exchange for the letter of recommendation. James said that he rejected the demand and attempted to leave Vincent’s home, but Vincent blocked him in. According to James, during the ensuing altercation, Vincent grabbed James’ wrist and shoulder, forcing him against a wall. James got away and ran out the back of the house, but Vincent followed him and chased him back into the house.
Back in the house, James grabbed a knife and told Vincent he would stab him. Additional fighting ensued when James attempted to unlock the front door or gate during which time Vincent cut his hand on the knife and James stabbed him at least one time. James and Vincent continued to fight, losing the knife and trying to relocate it, with James eventually stabbing Vincent 17 more times.
James testified that after the stabbing he “tapped” the body, but did not call for any help. He went into the kitchen, cleaned his wounds and had a glass of water. He then dragged Vincent’s body into the house from the courtyard and hosed the courtyard down, wiped blood off the walls and the blade of the knife, then took some of Vincent’s clothing as well as money and credit cards. Over the next four days, James used Vincent’s credit card and told several people different stories regarding his use of the credit card and the source of his wounds.
In court, James claimed he acted in self-defense, but the judge rejected that claim and him to 12 years in prison.
On October 15, 2009, prior going to Vincent’s house, James told his girlfriend he was going to get some money. James had been fired from his job at Babies ‘r’ Us, so the couple needed the money. He then went to Vincent’s house to obtain a letter of reference, which Vincent had promised to provide for an internship application by James. James mother worked for Vincent as a housekeeper. James, an engineering student, said that Vincent, the openly gay man, occasionally made comments about James “beautiful eyes” and asked him if he’d ever thought about gay sex.
James testified that when he got to Vincent’s home, Vincent demanded sexual favors in exchange for the letter of recommendation. James said that he rejected the demand and attempted to leave Vincent’s home, but Vincent blocked him in. According to James, during the ensuing altercation, Vincent grabbed James’ wrist and shoulder, forcing him against a wall. James got away and ran out the back of the house, but Vincent followed him and chased him back into the house.
Back in the house, James grabbed a knife and told Vincent he would stab him. Additional fighting ensued when James attempted to unlock the front door or gate during which time Vincent cut his hand on the knife and James stabbed him at least one time. James and Vincent continued to fight, losing the knife and trying to relocate it, with James eventually stabbing Vincent 17 more times.
James testified that after the stabbing he “tapped” the body, but did not call for any help. He went into the kitchen, cleaned his wounds and had a glass of water. He then dragged Vincent’s body into the house from the courtyard and hosed the courtyard down, wiped blood off the walls and the blade of the knife, then took some of Vincent’s clothing as well as money and credit cards. Over the next four days, James used Vincent’s credit card and told several people different stories regarding his use of the credit card and the source of his wounds.
In court, James claimed he acted in self-defense, but the judge rejected that claim and him to 12 years in prison.
Source: FindLaw
Source: Miami Herald
Source: Miami Herald
