Jury finds man accused of killing ex-girlfriend’s fiancé responsible of homicide

After deliberations started Friday, a jury has discovered a person responsible of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s fiancé.

Jesse Alvarez now faces a potential sentence of life in jail with no probability of parole for capturing and killing Mario Fierro in North Park on Feb. 1, 2021. He was convicted of first-degree homicide on this case.

Fierro was a beloved instructor at Cathedral Catholic Excessive College, and he was newly engaged to fellow Cathedral instructor Amy Gembara, Alvarez’s ex-girlfriend.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors mentioned the homicide was premeditated, since Alvarez’s search historical past included troubling phrases resembling “ commit the proper homicide,” “ shoot somebody with a 9mm Glock” and “ rent a hitman.” A criminal offense analyst testified that these Google searches occurred about 5 hours after the varsity posted a photograph asserting the engagement on Fb.

Throughout his testimony, Alvarez mentioned he drove to Fierro’s house within the early hours of Feb. 1, 2021. Alvarez claimed he shot Fierro after Fierro began hitting him first.

When the prosecution cross-examined him, Alvarez admitted to capturing Fierro six instances, together with within the again, earlier than leaving the scene.

The sentencing listening to was scheduled for Could 10.

It is a growing story. Stick with ABC 10News as our group of journalists gathers the most recent info. Beneath, you’ll discover an earlier model of this story as deliberations had been underway.

On Monday, a jury continued to deliberate and resolve whether or not or not Jesse Alvarez is responsible of homicide.

Alvarez is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend’s fiancé, Mario Fierro, a beloved Cathedral Catholic highschool instructor, three years in the past in North Park.

The jury began deliberating Friday after listening to testimony from Alvarez final Wednesday and Thursday.

In his testimony, Alvarez claimed self-defense.

Alvarez additionally admitted he was obsessed along with his ex-girlfriend, Amy Gembarra. He and his protection legal professional, Kelly Armstrong, blamed his obsession with Gembarra on his undiagnosed autism and obsessive compulsive problems. Armstrong mentioned his shopper is “very autistic.”
However regardless of his psychological state, the prosecutors held their floor in an explosive cross-examination with Alvarez.

“I simply need to be very clear. You are the one who killed Mr. Fierro, proper?” the prosecutor requested.

“Sure, I’ve testified to that,” Alvarez replied.

“You set six bullets in his physique, appropriate?” the prosecutor pressed on.

“Sure, I perceive that,” Alvarez replied.

When the prosecutor requested if Alvarez had shot Fierro twice within the brow, again of head and his again, Alvarez once more replied sure.

Prosecutors mentioned the killing of Fierro was premeditated after Alvarez noticed a Fb put up by the varsity asserting Gembarra’s engagement to Fierro.

A criminal offense analyst testified that earlier than the capturing, Alvarez’s Google search historical past included phrases like ” commit the proper homicide” and ” shoot somebody with a 9mm Glock.”
Nonetheless, Alvarez claims self-defense. Armstrong mentioned Alvarez was camped outdoors of the previous instructor’s residence however wasn’t planning to shoot him. Armstrong argued that Fierro began hitting Alvarez first.

The protection additionally known as a forensic psychologist to the stand, who evaluated Alvarez following his arrest and confirmed she recognized him with each Autism Spectrum Dysfunction and Obsessive Compulsive Dysfunction.

If convicted, Alvarez faces life in jail with no probability of parole.

Jury deliberations had been nonetheless ongoing as of 1 p.m. Monday.