San Angelo Child Killer Avoids Death Penalty in Plea Deal

SAN ANGELO  – One half of a San Angelo couple charged with Capital Murder of a Child less than six-years-old has avoided the death penalty in a plea deal that reduced the charge to Manslaughter.  The plea was approved in District Court before Judge Brad Goodwin Tuesday.  

Andrew 'Anthony' Fernandez, 40, and Lesley (Moreno) Fernandez were initially charged with Capital Murder in 2018 following the death of her son.  This summer, District Attorney Allison Palmer informed the Court she was no longer seeking the death penalty in either case and both were re-indicted. 

In a court session dated December 12, 2013, a pivotal case saw the presence of the State, represented by District Attorney Allison Palmer alongside ADA Ashley Knight. The defendant, Andrew Fernandez, stood with Gabriel Green and Joaquin Amaya from the Regional Public Defenders Office. Each party declared readiness as the defendant was fully admonished and confirmed comprehension of his rights and potential waiver.

The State proposed a recommendation wherein the defendant would plead guilty to the lesser charge of Manslaughter, waiving his right to appeal, with a suggested punishment of 20 years in TDC (Texas Department of Criminal Justice).

DA Palmer cited several reasons supporting this agreement, notably the protection of young witnesses from further trauma, eliminating the need for a trial, and averting prolonged appeals, ensuring certainty for the county's residents. Based on her extensive experience and case evaluation, Palmer advocated for the plea as the best course for the community's interests.

Accepting the State's rationale, the Court endorsed the plea deal, leading to the defendant admitting guilt to Manslaughter.

The State submitted a Waiver and Stipulation of Evidence, endorsed by the defendant, including additional evidentiary documents, all admitted without objection. Consequently, the Court found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in TDCJ, alongside a waiver of his right to appeal or seek a new trial.

The case harked back to the tragic demise of Nathaniel Quezada, initially labeled a homicide due to severe injuries disclosed in the autopsy report. The forensic examination revealed multiple vertebral fractures from blunt impact trauma as the cause of death. Despite attempts by family members, including Andrew Fernandez, to posit a bone ailment as the cause, the autopsy negated such claims, emphasizing assault as the primary cause of the injuries leading to the child's demise.

Fast forward to May 12, 2023, Leslie Moreno and Andrew Fernandez faced renewed indictments for the murder of Nathaniel Quezada. Initially accused of capital murder in 2019, the new charges included capital murder of a child under six, murder, and two counts of injury to a child with the intent of causing serious harm. The allegations detailed deliberate actions leading to Quezada's death, involving applying pressure to his knee or striking his back with an object.

The legal process restarted in June with the new indictment, and both Moreno and Fernandez, incarcerated since the incident, faced an increased bond set at $4 million, quadrupling their original bond.

Palmer also informed the Court she would not seek the death penalty for Lesley Moreno Fernandez.  

For detailed coverage on the tragic 'brittle bone baby' case, refer to the provided list below:

• Tragic Toddler Death Caused by Blunt Trauma
• Couple Indicted for Capital Murder in Tragic Toddler Death
• Bond Reduction Denied for 'Unseen Gangster' Accused of Murdering 21-Month-Old Stepson
• San Angelo Woman Charged with Capital Murder Denied Bond Reduction
• Capital Murder Suspect Pulls Race Card on District Attorney's Office