Lopez retrial: Man accused of killing off-duty Border Patrol agent claims self-defense
The man accused of killing an off-duty Border Patrol agent outside a Far East El Paso bar is back in court, claiming he acted in self-defense.
Tuesday was the first day of testimony in the second trial for Hisaias Justo Lopez, accused of killing agent 30-year-old Isaac Morales in May 2017. Lopez’s first trial ended in a mistrial after a jury said it could not reach a verdict based on the evidence it was provided.
The prosecution’s first witness Tuesday was Morales’ common-law wife, Yasmi Gonzalez. The woman was with Morales when he was stabbed and killed outside the bar.
Gonzalez testified that as they were leaving the bar, they could hear Lopez arguing on the phone. The woman said Morales made a comment and that’s when an argument ensued.
When Morales showed Lopez his border patrol badge, Lopez swatted the badge out of Morales’ hand, Gonzalez testified. The woman said Lopez then pulled out a knife and threatened to kill them.
Police said Lopez stabbed Morales in the eye. The Border Patrol agent died from his injuries four days after he was stabbed.
The defense attorneys representing Lopez argued their client acted in self-defense. During the defense’s questioning of Gonzalez, the defense showed screenshots from a surveillance camera at a nearby gas station. The images were recorded moments before the stabbing.
In the photos, you can see Morales and one of his friends following Lopez as Lopez walks away. The defense also argued, that one point, Morales punched Lopez. Gonzalez told the defense attorneys she could not recall if that actually happened.
