A Houston man was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Tuesday after prosecutors said he fatally stabbed his roommate during an argument about foot odor.

William Antonio Serrano, 23, pleaded no contest to murder in May in the October death of Noel Quintanilla-Vaquero, 21.

During his sentencing hearing Tuesday, Serrano cried as he told state District Judge Mike Anderson that he had been defending himself against Quintanilla-Vaquero, said his court-appointed attorney, Sid Crowley.

However, no evidence was available to show that Quintanilla-Vaquero had a weapon, said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Joe Vinas.

"The defendant said the victim had smelly feet," Vinas said.

Vinas said Serrano must serve half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

His plea wasn't the result of a plea deal, and he has appealed his case.

Authorities said the men were in an apartment in the 100 block of Goodson they shared with others when they had an argument between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Oct. 6.

Police said another roommate, a woman, told investigators that she heard the men arguing about foot odor. She said she saw Serrano stab Quintanilla-Vaquero. Vinas said Quintanilla-Vaquero was stabbed 16 times.

There had not been any trouble between them before, Vinas said. Both men were day-labor construction workers.

"They were in their room," Vinas said. "There was music on. Then, all of a sudden, they break out in this argument."