Gonzales Found Guilty In Rico Murder Trial

EL PASO, TX. – Francisco Gonzales was convicted on Thursday in the 2006 murder of his landlady, 57-year old Celia Rico.

The jury deliberated their decision for several hours before returning the verdict. Gonzales was accused of killing Rico in 2006 after she allegedly threatened to report parole violation if Gonzales refused to share some gambling winnings with her.

The details of his motive were presented by the prosecution earlier in the week when an investigator with the El Paso County Sheriff’s office read Gonzales’ confession. After the murder, Gonzales dumped Rico’s body in a canal where it was found by investigators.

In memoriam, the family of Celia Rico all wore purple Thursday in the courtroom. The judge sentenced Gonzales to life in prison.

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Written for KVIA.com by Miguel Martinez