Mario Angel Gonzalez sentenced to LIFE
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jan 19, 2019, Comments Off
Courtesy Yanira Deleon,
(Laredo, Texas)The District Attorney’s Office reports that Mario Angel Gonzalez has been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for brutally murdering 16-year-old Lesley Sanchez at a local park.
On July 27, 2017, the Laredo Police Department Communication Division received a call from a man stating that he found his niece’s lifeless body near the Haynes Recreation Center located at 2200 Clark Crossing. Upon arrival, officers found the body of a female lying face down in the brush area several feet away from the paved bike trail. The body was in a state of decomposition laying over a pool of dried blood.
Further observation of the area revealed a large blood stained over the grassy area, a black in color Nike show and a sock. It was later revealed that the deceased was 16-year-old Lesley Sanchez. Through further investigations, it was revealed that Lesley was last seen on the evening of July 26, 2017, leaving home driving a black in color Kia Rondo headed to go for a run.
Her family members stated to law enforcement officers that she had not returned home the previous night and that her phone was tracked to the location where her body was found via the Find My Friends app. LPD disseminated images of the surveillance video from the recreation center in an effort to identify the suspect as well as information on her vehicle to be located. Officers received three phone calls identifying the subject on the images as Mario Angel Gonzalez.
Later in the day, the victims black in color Kia Rondo was found parked near the intersection of Sioux and Sitting Bull Lane, near the Haynes Recreation Center. Officers were then led to Gonzalez’ home where clothing items were found depicting the same clothing in the surveillance images. One of the tennis shoe worn by Gonzalez along with his shirt tested positive for Lesley’s blood.
An extensive investigation revealed that Gonzalez stabbed Lesley multiple times while on her run and subsequently took her vehicle after the murder.
On July 30, 2017, Mario Angel Gonzalez was arrested and charged with murder, a first-degree felony in the State of Texas.
The trial, which took place before the 49th District Court Judge Joe Lopez, was heard by a jury over the course of five days. After four hours of deliberation, the jury rendered their guilty verdict. After another short deliberation, the jury sentenced Gonzalez to life in prison. Numerous witnesses took the stand during trial including the LPD investigators, expert witnesses who assisted with the case and the victim’s family members.
Medical Examiner Dr. Corinne Stern also took the stand stating that Lesley suffered five stab wounds, five incised wounds and five lacerations ruling her death a homicide.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Marisela S. Jacaman and Assistant District Attorneys Joaquin Rodriguez and Joshua Davila prosecuted the case for the State.
