Opening statements begin in Somerton murder trial
Opening statements began Thursday in the trial of Oscar Quintero, the man accused of murdering the mother of his children, Clarissa Medina, at the Somerton Valley Center parking lot in January 2018.
The opening statements revealed more details about the relationship between Quintero and Medina.
The prosecution said that on the evening of January 3, 2018, Oscar Quintero allegedly stalked Clarissa Medina and her co-worker Hugo Verdugo for two hours around the shopping center.
The prosecution said Quintero believed Medina was cheating on him with Verdugo when he saw the two inside of Verdugo’s vehicle.
The prosecution then said that at around 8:30 that night, Quintero walked up to the vehicle and Medina and Verdugo stepped out of the car. That’s when the prosecution said Quintero shot Verdugo in the face. The bullet blew through Verdugo’s cheek and was left lodged in his jaw. The prosecution said the impact of the shot fired knocked out some of Verdugo’s teeth. Verdugo survived but underwent at least one surgery.
The prosecution then said that Medina ran while dialing 911. In the call that was played Thursday in court you can hear the operator speaking in Spanish, asking Medina if this was an emergency. You can hear Medina yelling Quintero’s name, but she never responds to the operator. You can then hear at least one gunshot in the recording. The prosecution said Quintero shot her in the back, and she fell to her knees. Then the prosecution said Quintero stood over Medina as she pleaded for her life, and shot her two more times, ultimately claiming her life. In the 911 call you can hear Medina yelling, ” No, no, Oscar, no, no, Oscar, ” before the last shot was fired.
According to the prosecution, Quintero ran off on foot because he lost his car keys but he arrived at the Somerton Public Safety Building less than two hours after the shooting to speak to police.
Officers saw Quintero as a suspect in Medina’s murder after finding his car at the scene and arrested him on the spot.
According to the defense, Quintero and Medina were in a relationship since 2011 and also shared two children together. However, the prosecution claims Medina and Quintero were on and off again, but officially ended their relationship in November 2017, two months before her death.
Prosecutors said Medina filed an order of protection against Quintero shortly after the breakup.
It will be up to the jury to decide whether the murder of Medina and attempted murder of Verdugo was premeditated or not. The prosecution stated, ” The defendant had been stalking them for two and a half hours. He sat behind the Somerton Valley Center for 39 minutes walking back and forth. Watching them driving by. This was absolutely premeditated. ”
The defense argued, ” [Quintero] lost it, snapped. This is a classic case of heat of passion. ”
Quintero is facing first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and other charges. The trial is expected to last until August 23.
