A Carrollton man who shot his wife in the face and shoulder, then discarded the gun and abandoned his car, received a 60-year prison sentence.
A Collin County jury convicted Abelardo Espinoza, 56, of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury to a family member, a first-degree felony, District Attorney Greg Willis announced Monday. Visiting Judge Michael Snipes imposed the sentence.
Surveillance video and a confession
Frisco police responded in the early hours of June 22, 2024, to a 7-Eleven at El Dorado Parkway and Preston Road after a woman reported that her husband had shot her. Officers found gunshot wounds to her face and shoulder and multiple bullet holes in her vehicle, according to the DA’s office.
The woman identified her soon-to-be ex-husband as the shooter. Detective Miranda Hernandez investigated the shooting.
Security footage from businesses along the Dallas North Tollway and El Dorado Parkway showed Espinoza following his wife. The footage also captured him abandoning his car and shirt before a friend picked him up, prosecutors said.
Espinoza changed his shirt and discarded the gun after the shooting, according to the release. Carrollton police later arrested him.
After his arrest, Espinoza confessed to his daughter that he had shot the victim, the DA’s office said.
Child pornography evidence during punishment
During the punishment phase, prosecutors presented evidence that Espinoza possessed child pornography images and videos, as well as bestiality material, according to the release.
Willis said in the release: “This man shot his wife in the face and shoulder, then tried to cover his tracks by dumping his car, his shirt, and the gun. A jury convicted him, and he was sentenced to 60 years in prison. Holding domestic violence offenders accountable is a priority for this office.”
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Samantha Shaffer and Ann Mathew prosecuted the case, with help from DA Investigator Robin Laughon and Victim Assistance Coordinator Dixie Hardin.
In a separate 2022 case, a Collin County jury sentenced Joseph Daniel Enriquez of Anna to life in prison for fatally shooting his wife, as The Dallas Express previously reported.
Provided by Dallas Express
