Pete Garcia Jr., 55, pleaded not guilty to murder charges Tuesday morning in the Lubbock County Court as a jury heard about the death of local musician Orestes “West” Garza.
An arrest warrant states Garcia was arrested hours after the deadly shooting outside of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, 2316 Broadway, on February 7, 2016. Records state he turned himself in to the Levelland Police Department.
Related Link: Warrant Describes Events Leading Up to Deadly Shooting Outside Church
In an emotional courtroom Tuesday, the grand jury heard opening arguments from prosecution and Garcia’s defense attorneys.
They first heard of the 32-year marriage between the defendant and Judy Garcia. Documents state the couple divorced in October 2015 after she revealed her feelings for Garza.
The prosecutor argued Garcia became obsessed with his ex-wife by stalking her for months, and even turning physically violent by attacking Garza.
They presented evidence of 911 dispatch calls from several witnesses at the church on the night of the murder.
Witnesses included a Lubbock Police Department dispatcher who took one of the calls from the scene, an LPD patrol officer who responded to the scene, the pastor of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church who gave the 5 p.m. mass that evening, local residents who also attended the mass and witnessed the scene outside, and an LPD detective working on the case.
Evidence presented included 911 calls from witnesses on the scene, an aerial map of the area along Broadway, objects collected from the Lubbock Police Department and Lubbock County Medical Examiner’s Office, as well as police photographs from the crime scene.
With a large amount of evidence including shell casings, ammunition, Cabela’s receipt, a calendar of the defendant marking “Judy” on different days, the prosecution argued there is no legal justification for the crime committed.
Garcia’s defense attorneys asked the jury to understand the defendant. They described his background of hard work ethic, described him as the “rock of the family,’ and a dependable man. The shock of learning of his wife’s affair devastated and confused him, making him obsessed with finding the truth.
They argued against the accusation of stalking and said he was determined to find the truth and get his wife back. They added he’s a strong Catholic man who does not believe in divorce.
Before going to a party on Super Bowl night, February 7, Defense stated Garcia stopped by the church to check in on Judy. He saw her embrace Garza outside near a car, and “snapped, the tea pot boiled over.” They also stated Garcia does not remember the incident.
Reports show Garza died at the scene.
The trial will continue Wednesday as Garcia awaits in the Lubbock County Detention Center on a $1,000,000 bond.
