Trial begins in murder of father of runaway teen accused of killing three at Garland Convenience Store

Regarding the father of a teenager who shot three teenagers in The convenience of a garland store in December 2021.

Neither the prosecutor’s office nor the defense argue Abel Acosta, now 15 and still on the runis a killer.

However, Dallas County jurors must decide whether Abel’s father, who was with him, is also guilty.

Testimony began on Tuesday morning and included a graphic police body camera and surveillance video of the bloody and chaotic aftermath on December 26, 2021.

By all accounts, Abel Acosta pulled the trigger that night.

Abel’s father, Richard Acosta Jr. on trial for aggravated murderaccused of helping his son set up a deadly ambush, took him to the store and was his driver.

“This is not whoever did this, ladies and gentlemen,” prosecutor Stephanie Fargo said in her opening remarks. “That’s one question: did this defendant deliberately facilitate or assist, encourage, guide, assist, try to assist Abel in the murder of these three boys?”

Several family members of the three victims left the courtroom in tears after watching the video footage from the surveillance cameras, which captured the moment of the execution of their loved ones.

Dallas County District Judge Stephanie Huff reminded the public to refrain from emotional outbursts in front of the jury.

The jury saw surveillance video of Acosta Jr. walking in and out of the store. He is then seen driving around the parking lot, stopping for a few seconds, and then apparently cutting off a car in the parking lot.

Abel is then seen getting out of the pickup truck, running shirtless around the back and then crouching as he approaches the front door of the store.

The then 14-year-old is seen opening the door and immediately unloading his gun, firing about 20 shots inside the store, killing 14-year-old Xavier González, 16-year-old Ivan Noyola, and 17-year-old Rafael. Garcia.

The taco shop chef, 15-year-old David Rodriguez, was also shot but survived.

At one point, Abel is seen walking further into the store and shooting Xavier at close range.

“For [Abel] fire 20 shots, killing these three children and wounding another, while this defendant is on the brakes and the truck is waiting,” Fargo said. “Actions mean more than words.”

Armando Macedonio, Ivan’s uncle, was among the witnesses who spoke on Tuesday morning.

Macedonio revealed that he was waiting for Ivan to buy a taco when he saw the shooter quickly crawling towards the store.

“I thought he was going to pull a prank because I saw him hiding,” Macedonio said with the help of interpreter Irene M. Vera.

Moments later, Macedonio says he heard gunshots and ran inside, only to find his 14-year-old nephew lying face down and covered in blood.

“I told him not to die,” he said through tears.

In his opening statement, Acosta’s lawyer Heath Harris told jurors thatThey will prove that Acosta had no idea what his son was going to do, he never saw a gun or shooter..

“[Acosta] ducks! 12-15 seconds is enough. Abel with his back: “Go! Go! Go! They are shooting! so yeah, he’s leaving there because he doesn’t know if they’re shooting at Abel. He doesn’t know what’s going on. All he knows is that he’s trying to get out of there,” Harris said. “Before, during, or after, he does not know that an offense has been committed, so he cannot assist, incite or encourage an offense that he does not even know he has committed. He does not know that these children were killed. All he knows is that his heart is beating and his son is running.

Acosta’s defense claims that the reason Abel wanted to leave and enter the store was because he was angry that his necklace had recently been stolen.

He wanted to confront one of the teenagers, Ivan or Rafael, over the stolen necklace.

“Abel wants to get out of the car, Richard tries to keep him in the car. Abel takes off his shirt because he wants to check his necklace,” Harris said.

The defense attorney also told jurors that the obvious smirk on his client’s face during the photo shoot had a good reason.

Acosta, he said, just thought it was “ridiculous” that he was charged with capital murder.

The jury heard from the police and paramedics who were the first to arrive on the scene and attempt to rescue the victims.

They also heard from a survivor, Rodriguez, who testified about the moment he was shot at. Rodriguez testified that his body was “hot” and he asked God to “take it away.”

Acosta is expected to testify in his defense, Harris said.

If found guilty of capital murder, the 35-year-old will automatically be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The state did not use the death penalty in this case.