SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man, Juan Gabriel Medina, has been in the news after being granted deferred adjudication on a lesser charge related to a serious incident from March 2022. Initially facing a murder charge, Medina has a history of criminal offenses, which led to his classification as a “habitual offender.”
According to records from Bexar County, Medina was charged with murder for a shooting that occurred on March 31, 2022. However, during a recent court proceeding, his murder charge was dropped, and he received 10 years of deferred adjudication for unlawfully carrying a weapon as a previously convicted felon. This means Medina will not serve any jail time for this offense, which is classified as a second-degree felony.
The Incident
The shooting incident unfolded at an apartment complex in San Antonio. Police were called to the scene around 7:15 p.m. When officers arrived, they found Medina walking down the stairs and he allegedly admitted to firing the weapon.
Inside the apartment, officers discovered Mendoza, the victim, lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to his face. The report indicated that Medina claimed he had come to help a woman move out due to violence involving Mendoza. An argument escalated when Mendoza reportedly reached for a knife.
Medina stated that he had grabbed a firearm from the woman’s sister and shot Mendoza in self-defense. This account was supported by the gun owner and another witness, who confirmed the details of the confrontation.
Medina’s Legal Situation
In the legal proceedings, Medina was labeled a “habitual offender” due to prior felony convictions in 2005 and 2011. Alongside the murder charge, he faced additional charges at the time of his arrest, but many were dismissed in recent court actions.
The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office recently recused itself from the case, stating that their office had no involvement in the case’s outcome. This decision was made just four months after Medina’s arrest during a traffic stop.
As this case continues to unfold, it highlights the complexities of self-defense claims and the legal ramifications of previous felony convictions. For more detailed information about the case, individuals can contact the appropriate court officials.
