On Tuesday, November 29, 2022, in Amarillo, Texas, a 34-year-old pregnant mother of three was murdered in the parking lot of a convenience store at I-40 and Lakeside.
Illiana Garza and her unborn baby lost their lives in a parking lot.
Who Was Arrested for the Murder of Illiana Garza in Amarillo, Texas
The Amarillo Police Department arrested John Paul Ortega for the murder. He was indicted on February 15, 2023, on Capital Murder in the death of Garza and her unborn baby. Ortega and Garza had been in a relationship at the time of her death.
Ortega has been on trial for the Capital murder of Garza and her unborn child. A jury has been hearing the evidence and testimony in the case. According to a court witness, Ortega claimed while testifying that he was being set up and acted in self-defense.
What was the Verdict in the Capital Murder of Iliana Garza in Amarillo, Texas?
Closing arguments in the case were heard on Thursday, May 1, 2025. The jury deliberated for 4 1/2 hours, and John Paul Ortega was found guilty of Capital Murder of Iliana Garza.
What is the Sentencing for Capital Murder in Texas?
According to the Texas Penal Code for Criminal Homicide, capital murder can carry a sentence of the death penalty or life without parole. A person can be charged with Capital Murder if any of the following occur:
- A police officer or a firefighter is killed on duty
- Kill someone while committing another crime
- Kill someone for money or hire someone to kill
- Kill someone while escaping from a jail or prison
- Kill someone while incarcerated, and that someone works in the prison, or is aiding a gang or criminal group
- Kill someone while serving time for murder
- Kill more than one person at the same time
- Kill a child younger than 10 or between the ages of 10 and 14
- Kill a judge
John Paul Ortega will spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance of parole.…