Accused murderer’s estranged wife takes the stand, recalls events leading up to killing

The jury in the Alberto Mendiola murder trial on Friday listened to emotional testimony from Nicole Mendiola, the accused murderer’s estranged wife.

Mendiola is accused of killing 30-year-old Anthony Bowler in March 2014, as well as violating a protective order.

In her testimony, Nicole Mendiola recalled the events leading up to Bowler’s death. With a tissue in her left hand, and a firm grip of the microphone with her right hand, Nicole told jurors she met a friend for lunch at Wing Shack before going to Smokey’s for a drink.

Nicole and her friend then went to pick up her four children at daycare in her friend’s car. They arrived back at Nicole’s home on the 11200 block of Warcloud when her friend invited two other friends to come over.

At the time, Nicole and Alberto had been separated two months. Later that night, Bowler, Nicole, and the four children were in the house. That’s when she says Alberto attempted to break into the home through the back patio door. Bowler was trying to prevent Alberto from entering when Alberto shot him dead, Nicole told jurors.

Once inside, Nicole testified Alberto started yelling at her, “did you see what you made me do, bitch? Why was he in my house?”

Nicole testified Alberto held her and the children hostage for several hours before driving to his father’s home.

Nicole told jurors Alberto’s father and brother gave him money and a change of clothes. Alberto took away Nichole’s phone and hit her over the head and he looked through it. Police eventually arrived at the father’s house, where they arrested Alberto.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Monday morning at 8 a.m. Dr. Mario Rascon, the County of El Paso’s Chief Medical Examiner, is expected to testify on behalf of the defense.