Defense argues accused killer’s tour of duty in Afghanistan contributed to PTSD

The defense in the Alberto Mendiola murder trial screened a portion of a documentary in an effort to give jurors a glimpse into its client’s tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Mendiola is accused of breaking into his estranged wife’s home in 2014 and murdering 30-year-old Anthony Bowler, a friend she had just met.

Before the trial resumed Monday, Judge Marcos Lizarraga held a meeting with the attorneys to watch a documentary, “Another Day in the ‘Dab,” that documents Mendiola and his platoon’s tour of duty in Khandahar, Afghanistan. At the time of the documentary, Khandahar was considered to be the most dangerous province in Afghanistan.

Prosecutors objected to showing the video in the trial, arguing that it was prejudicial and had nothing to do with the murder. Judge Lizarraga overruled the objection and the defense attorneys were allowed to show parts of the film in court.

Defense attorney Joe Spencer reserved his right to make his opening statement until today, where he showed parts of the film for the jury to watch. He argues Mendiola’s first-hand experiences in combat contributed to his post traumatic stress disorder and temporary insanity that made him kill Bowler.

“It’s very clear they were in a living hell,” Spencer told ABC-7, “They have described it as being the worst part of the war, the worst part of the fight, and not being properly trained, and them doing the best they can, you have to admire their courage. You can also see the pain their faces and the demons they are fighting even right now.”

According to defense attorney Felix Valenzuela, Mendiola was originally assigned to a long range artillery battalion but had been temporarily reassigned to a front line infantry unit just days before leaving for Afghanistan.

Josh Stricklin, another soldier that had been assigned to train Mendiola and his unit, testified he didn’t have enough time to train his unit properly and only had enough time to teach them how to survive.

Valenzuela also told jurors that on the first day in Khandahar, Mendiola had gone to relieve another soldier at a guard tower, when a Taliban sniper shot the soldier in the head, splattering Mendiola with his friend’s brain matter. He went on to say that Mendiola went through what survivors of the Turkish airport attack and Paris attacks went through every day.

He then told jurors when Mendiola was released from the Army, doctors examined him and determined he had PTSD but did nothing to treat his illness telling him to “man up and deal with it.” Mendiola did not get medical attention and began carrying an M4 rifle and a 40 caliber handgun with him.

Valenzuela then told jurors how the defendant went to check on his wife and kids at a barbeque when Mendiola spotted Bowler. Thinking he was Middle Eastern, Mendiola ran to his car and grabbed his M4 and shortly afterwards shot and killed Bowler, Valenzuela said.