Garland triple homicide: Richard Acosta Jr. capital murder trial

DALLAS COUNTY, Texas — Garland Police Office Byron Velasquez mentioned,  

This week, Richard Acosta Jr. is in courtroom, charged with capital murder. He is accused of driving his son, then 14-year-old Abel Acosta, to and from the scene of a triple murder.

The taking pictures occurred on Dec. 26, 2021 at a Texaco comfort retailer in Garland and left three youngsters useless; 17-year-old Rafael Garcia, 16-year-old Ivan Noyola, and 14-year-old Xavier Gonzalez have been killed that night. 

Dallas County prosecutor, Stephanie Fargo, opened the trial on Tuesday. 

“It takes 9 seconds for him to fireside 20 rounds, taking pictures and killing these three youngsters and injuring one other. All the whereas, this defendant has his foot on the brake, the truck in drive, ready. Actions converse louder than phrases,” mentioned Fargo. 

The State is arguing Richard Acosta Jr. knowingly aided his son, Abel Acosta, on this crime.

Acosta’s legal professional, Heath Harris, adopted. In his opening assertion, he pointed at Acosta Jr. and mentioned, “He’s going to present credible evidence that is going to clearly show he is not guilty of being party to this sort of an offense.” 

Abel Acosta nonetheless has not been arrested. 

Heath mentioned, “That’s what this is all about. Charging this man with capital murder, trying to lure Abel out.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, the primary officer who arrived on scene testified. 

“Being the first officer there, being alone, I get out of my squad. I draw my duty weapon and I go to the front of the building and I start hearing screaming, crying, all that,” Garland Police Office Byron Velasquez said. “I open the door and to my right, immediately see a young, Hispanic male laying on the ground, blood and bullet casings everywhere.”

Officer Velasquez’s physique digital camera video was proven to the jury. In the video, he entered the shop and carried out CPR on one of many youngsters who was lined in blood close to the entrance door.  

As different officers and first responders arrived, Velasquez was relieved from CPR and continued to clear the shop to verify there was no shooter current. During that course of, he discovered the opposite two victims. 

Armando Macadonio, Ivan Noyola’s uncle, took the stand too. It was emotional for him. Macadonio drove Ivan and his buddy, Rafael Garcia, to the comfort retailer to select up tacos. 

With a translator within the courtroom, Macadonio mentioned, “I asked my nephew what he wanted for dinner. […] He said he wanted tacos.” 

Macadonio mentioned when he parked his automobile, Richard Acosta’s truck clipped his. He mentioned he noticed the white truck park and noticed Abel Acosta exit the automobile and creep towards the door of the comfort retailer. That’s when he noticed younger Acosta open hearth.

“When he shoots, I told my mom Ivan’s name,” translated, Macadonio mentioned in tears. “The truck took off right away. It drives away fast.” 

Macadonio mentioned he rushed within the retailer and located his nephew dealing with down, lined in blood. He instructed him to not die, however knew it was too late.

After Macadonio testified, Garland Police Detective Tony Godwin took the stand. Surveillance video was performed, exhibiting the taking pictures. Some members of the family left the courtroom in tears.

Rafael Gonzalez, Xavier Gonzalez’s uncle, testified on Tuesday afternoon. He spoke about his nephew’s character and character. 

“My sister referred to as me crying, saying Xavier is gone,” he mentioned. 

He described Xavier as a respectful one who minded his personal enterprise and wished to be one thing in life. Xavier was the youngest sufferer. 

The defendant, Richard Acosta Jr., is predicted to testify throughout the trial. If convicted of capital murder, he may face life in jail with out the potential for parole.

A reward is being supplied for the arrest of Abel Acosta. Anyone with information relating to the teenager’s whereabouts is inspired to name police at 972-485-4869.