Maverick County Jury finds Homero Herrera Guilty of Murder and Sentences Him to 35 Years in Prison
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016
A ten women and two men Maverick County Jury found Homero Herrera, age 65, guilty of murdering his wife, Blanca Estela Espinoza de Herrera, age 49, at their residence, located at 213 Medina Street in Eagle Pass, Texas on October 9, 2013 as a result of a domestic violence incident after a one and a half week long trial before 293rd Judicial District Court Judge Cynthia Muniz at the Maverick County Courthouse on Tuesday, January 19, 2016.
The State of Texas was represented by District Attorney Roberto Serna and Assistant District Attorneys Robert Little, Alberto Rodriguez, and Rene Munoz. Homero Herrera was represented by Greg Torres.
Judge Muniz asked the jury foreperson if the jury had reached a verdict in the case, which the foreperson replied “Yes.” Judge Muniz requested Homero Herrera to please rise to have the jury’s verdict read. Judge Muniz proceeded to read the jury’s verdict: “We the jury find the Defendant guilty of murder as charged in the indictment.”
Judge Muniz polled each member of the 12 person jury if this was their verdict, and one by one each juror replied “Yes.”
Judge Muniz recessed for a few minutes to give the jury a rest and allow the attorneys to prepare for the Sentencing Phase of the trial.
Immediately following the recess, the District Attorney’s Office commenced the Sentencing Phase of the jury trial and Assistant District Attorney Alberto Rodriguez presented evidence and arguments to the jury on why Homero Herrera should receive a high prison sentence while Defense Counsel Greg Torres argued for a lenient sentence against his client. After more than five hours of deliberations, the jury sentenced Homero Herrera to 35 years in state prison for the murder of his wife.
This tragic domestic violence case saddened the twin cities of Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico where both the victim and perpetrator were well known and liked.
The Eagle Pass Police Department received a 911 emergency telephone call from the 17 year old daughter of the couple whom discovered the grisly scene at her home. Herrera stabbed his wife, Blanca Estela, multiple times on her body causing her death. Herrera attempted to commit suicide afterwards stabbing himself several times.
Maverick County Justice of the Peace of Precinct 4 Tere Melendrez was summoned to the tragic crime scene and pronounced Blanca Estela Espinoza de Herrera dead at the scene and ordered an autopsy.
The tragic death of Blanca Estela Espinoza de Herreraa highlighted the serious domestic violence problem facing Eagle Pass and Maverick County residents and law enforcement agencies.
District Attorney Roberto Serna stated that the jury’s verdict and sentence sends a loud and clear message to the community that homicide, domestic violence, and all forms of crime are not tolerated in the community and will be prosecuted and punished according to the law.
