99 years in prison for murder of elderly man stabbed to death at popular Galveston fishing spot

Galveston— A witness documented the brutal stabbing of an elderly man at a popular fishing spot in Galveston, a crime that resulted in a 99-year prison sentence for the defendant.

On January 17, 2023, Galveston Police were called to Boddeker Lane, a popular fishing spot in Galveston, in response to a body later identified as Albert Titov, a 73-year-old immigrant. Officers discovered multiple stab wounds on Titov’s back. A week later, an eyewitness came forward with a video of the murder.

The trial began on Tuesday. Felony Division Assistant District Attorney Adam Poole and Assistant District Attorney Casey Kirst presented the eyewitness testimony of Batista’s friend, who recorded the murder on his phone. The eyewitness said that Batista and Titov exchanged unknown words earlier in the day, but that nothing physical happened. Batista returned to his vehicle and retrieved a knife and a face covering from the car before approaching the victim. The jury saw the video, which showed Batista loitering near Titov while Titov was fishing before Batista suddenly stabbed Titov six times in the back. On Wednesday afternoon, the jury returned a guilty verdict.

In the punishment phase of the trial, Kirst argued that a crime as heinous as stabbing a 73-year-old pensioner while fishing was a crime that should be severely punished. The jury returned a verdict of 99 years in prison.

“The Galveston County Criminal District Attorney commends the Galveston Police Department for their work in this case,” the DA’s office said.