Editor’s note: This story discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. To reach a trained crisis counselor, call or text the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Jerome Garcia on Wednesday sat in the witness stand and described to jurors how his life in Petersburg more than four years ago came crashing down around him after learning that a family member was accusing him of raping her.
The 44-year-old father of four told jurors he was woken up by his wife on July 3, 2021, telling him she wanted him out of their home and told him why.
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing at this point,” he said. “I’m in shock. I cant even — I’m speechless.”
He said he grabbed his clothes, a toothbrush, a shotgun and ammunition, and a 30-pack of beer and left his home in Petersburg in the family SUV and headed toward Lubbock where his mother and brother lived.