Villegas Case could play role in upcoming District Attorney election

Three candidates are vying for the position of district attorney in the upcoming county election and the high-profile Daniel Villegas case could play a huge role in the election.

Jaime Esparza is the current District Attorney. Attorneys Leonard Morales and Yvonne Rosales are running against the incumbent of more than 20 years.

Daniel Villegas spent 20 years in jail after being accused of murder, but then was released after an El Paso judge ordered a new trial because he ruled the confession was obtained unlawfully.

The case and Villegas’ biggest supporter may prove to be a big influence in who gets elected.

The Daniel Villegas case is undoubtedly one of the most controversial cases in El Paso history.

Businessman John Mimbela, is the man who’s fought for him for years and now he’s fighting to get current District Attorney Jaime Esparza out of office.

“When you’ve been in office that long, I think you start to believe you can do no wrong,” Mimbela said.

Mimbela, who is supporting candidate Leonard Morales, spent half a million dollars during his fight for Villegas. He couldn’t say how much he’s contributed to the Morales campaign, but he says when it comes to justice, there is no pricetag.

“I think El Paso sees that, I don’t think it’s just Daniel’s case, there’s been a lot of other cases where I don’t believe he’s done the just thing. Not only for the victims and the accused, for both of them,” Mimbela said.

District Attorney Jaime Esparza who is still preparing for a retrial in the Villegas case, denies that.

“I think what’s really important is fighting for justice. Those two boys were murdered. We have done all our talking in the courtroom. We have evidence and that evidence has been presented to a jury,” Esparza said.

Both of Esparza’s opponents say the case will play a huge role in the upcoming election.

“If you could somehow cobble together some kind of case to present to a jury, how viable is that case? How credible is that prosecution. Does the public have the confidence in this case now, to justify it anymore?” Candidate Leonard Morales said.

“That is going to be one of my high priority things that I want to take a look at, because I don’t want to cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Candidate Yvonne Rosales said.

“I’ve looked at the evidence I think we can present a case to the jury and let’s see what a jury says but the fact that one person is supporting another, they have the right to do that. Just like I have a right to send my message,” Esparza said.

It’s unclear when Esparza will decide on a retrial. Election Day is March 1st. Early Voting begins February 16th.