In her second trial, a woman was found guilty of first-degree murder after breaking into her ex-husband’s home, taking two of his guns, and shooting him when he returned.
Prosecutors in Tulare County, California, said Thursday that jurors did not find that defendant Erika Sandoval, 38, was lying in wait for her former spouse, Exeter police officer Daniel Green, making her ineligible for the death penalty in the June 5 sentencing. The jury discovered a special allegation that she personally and intentionally fired a gun, resulting in serious bodily injury.
She faces a life sentence in prison.
Green was found dead in his Goshen home after failing to report for duty on February 6, 2015, according to the Vasalia Times Delta. He was wrapped in a shower curtain and shot four times, one in the head.
Sandoval was allegedly caught on surveillance video arriving at Green’s house shortly before him and leaving about an hour later.
“10 years is a long time,” Green’s family said in a statement obtained by KSEE TV. “It feels like certain aspects of our lives have been put on hold. We feel like we can move forward in a variety of ways.”
The defense argued that Sandoval was abused prior to the shooting and was acting in self-defense, citing several alleged incidents in which Green was abusive. Green was never formally charged in the alleged attacks.
Prosecutors claimed that Sandoval was simply jealous of Green’s new relationship, having previously taunted him that “no one is ever going to want you.”
The victim shared a photo with his new girlfriend just a few days before his death. According to prosecutors, Sandoval’s purse contained a note with the woman’s name and birthdate.
The first trial, in 2019, resulted in a hung jury because one juror refused to convict. A juror from the second trial, who spoke with KSEE but did not want to be identified, stated that they were able to figure it out after reviewing the confessions.
“It was honestly very difficult because there was so much to look into there was so much to go over and review, but I think what actually closed it for us was, we went back through her confessions and actually looking at it and being able clearly hear it opposed to hearing it in the courtroom made a difference,” according to this individual.