El Paso, Texas - Moises Galvan, 25, has been found guilty of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the 2017 shooting death of 22-year-old Rogelio "RJ" Franco Jr. in a parking lot outside Barfly on Montwood Drive. The shooting also left another man, David Ortega, injured but alive.
After more than four hours of deliberation, a jury consisting of six women and six men reached the guilty verdict. Galvan, who had previously testified during his trial, turned and smiled at his family before the verdict was read. However, his demeanor changed to a somber one as the guilty verdict was announced. Franco's family embraced each other in relief after hearing the decision.
Moises Galvan now faces a potential sentence of up to 99 years or life in prison on the murder charge and up to 20 years in prison on the aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge. The sentencing phase of the trial began shortly after the verdict was delivered.
The trial, presided over by Judge Dick Alcala in the 168th District Court at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso, began on September 18, 2023. Prosecutors John Briggs and Michelle Hill argued that Galvan had planned to kill Franco that night, while defense attorneys Greg Anderson and Sara Priddy contended that Galvan had acted in self-defense.
Galvan claimed that Franco had repeatedly threatened and assaulted him before the night of the shooting. He testified that Franco and Ortega followed him out of the bar, and Ortega allegedly put a gun against his chest, leading to the fatal altercation. However, prosecutors argued that Galvan had initiated the confrontation by going to the bar with a gun in his possession.
The trial marked the second time Galvan had faced charges in connection with the shooting. The first trial in 2019 was declared a mistrial due to a question posed by prosecutors that could have influenced the jury's opinion.
While the jury has now delivered a guilty verdict, the sentencing phase will determine the extent of Moises Galvan's punishment for his role in the 2017 shooting.
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