Laredo Police Department Officers testify on behalf of defendant, jury still convicts
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jan 29, 2017, Comments Off
Courtesy Yanira Deleon,
(Laredo, Texas)-The Office of the District Attorney reports the guilty verdict for Antonio Rene Lara, 30, who was charged with three counts of assault causing bodily injury family violence, a Class A Misdemeanor in the State of Texas.
The case came to light on August 22, 2015, when the Laredo Police Department Communications Division received a call from Amy Bernal who stated that she was just assaulted by her ex-boyfriend at an apartment complex on the 300 block of Bob Bullock Loop. Bernal stated to officers that after an argument ensued between her and Antonio Lara, he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her out of the apartment throwing her on the ground. Lara continued to assault Bernal by kicking her on her side and dragging her from the hair through the hallway and up a flight of stairs to the parking lot. It was then when Lara slammed her head against a truck that was parked nearby. Bernal was able to get away and back into the apartment with the help of her mother. Lara fled the scene in a white in color Chevrolet Avalanche.
The trial, which took place before visiting Judge Ron Carr in County Court at Law II was heard by a jury over the course of four days. The jury found Antonio Rene Lara guilty on all three counts of assault causing bodily injury family violence. This verdict was reached despite two Laredo Police Department officers who testified during trial that Amy Bernal, the complainant in this case, was not a victim. Testimony revealed that Lieutenant Luis Tinajero, the uncle of the defendant, intervened with the investigation the night of the assault. After seeking advice from Tinajero, the defendant Antonio Rene Lara met with him and Officer Severiano Medina at the Laredo Police Department. Following the meeting with Tinajero and Medina, the defendant was released because according to testimony from Officer Medina, there was no probable cause to arrest Lara.
The jury assessed a punishment of one year to serve with a $4,000 fine for Count I, six months to serve with a $4,000 fine for Count II and one year to serve with a $4,000 fine for Count III. The sentences will run concurrent.
Assistant District Attorneys Javier Guzman, Linda Garza-Martinez and Julia Rubio prosecuted the case for the State.
