BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – In an intense courtroom scene, the trial of Christopher Preciado continued as jurors examined disturbing photos related to the tragic deaths of Savanah Soto, her boyfriend Matthew Guerra, and their unborn child.
As the trial unfolds, testimony is set to pick up again at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. Preciado is facing serious charges, accused of causing the deaths of Soto and Guerra, whose bodies were discovered in a vehicle with significant blood evidence on December 26, 2023.
On Wednesday, the courtroom was filled with emotion as family members of the victims reacted to graphic evidence presented by witnesses. The images shown were so graphic that they could not be released to the public, underscoring the severe nature of the crime.
To ensure safety, the courtroom saw heightened security measures with over ten deputies present, a significant increase from the usual number. Officials mentioned prior incidents involving family members as the reason for this enhanced security.
The first witness of the day was a crime scene investigator who described the process of documenting the scene. No usable fingerprints were found, but a bullet was located in the back seat of the vehicle where Guerra had been sitting.
So far, around 12 witnesses have testified, with many presenting their accounts on the first day. Notably, the court has permitted Christopher Preciado’s father, Ramon Preciado, to attend the proceedings despite facing his own charges related to allegedly assisting his son in covering up the crime.
If convicted, Christopher Preciado could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Background
Savanah Soto was expecting to give birth soon and missed her appointment on December 22, 2023. She and Guerra were last heard from a day earlier, which led to her family reporting her missing shortly thereafter. A statewide alert was issued on Christmas Day, and just a day later, authorities discovered their bodies in Guerra’s vehicle.
Christopher Preciado, then 19, was arrested on January 3, 2024, and charged with capital murder. His father, Ramon, was also arrested for allegedly trying to tamper with evidence related to the case. Additionally, Christopher’s mother, Myrta Romanos, was arrested for her involvement in the cover-up.
The dispute that escalated into violence reportedly stemmed from a drug deal gone wrong. Preciado claimed that Guerra had threatened him with a gun, leading to the fatal shooting of both Soto and Guerra.
The trial is expected to last more than a week, with various law enforcement officers and family members set to testify. Whether Ramon Preciado and Myrta Romanos will take the stand remains unclear.
