San Angelo Gunman Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter in 1st Day of Jury Trial

SAN ANGELO, TX – The jury trial of a San Angelo man accused of shooting and killed Carlos Galvan is officially underway.

Galvan was shot and killed in Aug. 2020. For the original article see:  San Angelo Man Shot and Killed on Koberlin Street

The jury trial began on Mar. 11 in the Sugg room in the Stephans Central Library at 8:30 a.m. It began with the prosecutors Assistant District Attorneys Brent Ratekin and Jensen Martinez, the defense attorney Tommy Jackson, and the defendant Nathan Gonzalez.

After a few moments both parties announced that they were ready to begin. Gonzalez was then arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty to manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence meaning the case would go to trial. If convicted of guilty Gonzalez could face up to 20 years in prison.

The jury selection process then began at 9 a.m. This crucial part lasted until 3:15 p.m. The courts then broke for lunch and reconvened at 4:35 p.m. 

To start the state read then indictment. In the indictment Gonzalez is accused of recklessly causing the death of Carlos Galvan by discharging a firearm in the direction of Galvan and knowingly and intentionally concealing a firearm with intent to impair evidence in a homicide investigation. Manslaughter is a second degree felony while tampering with evidence is a third degree felony.

After the state read the indictment, the defense once again entered a Not Guilty plea to both counts.

The first witness was then called to the stand. The state presented their medical examiner, Dr. Luisa Florez, M.D. Florez is a medical examiner out of the city of Lubbock. 

The state called for two exhibits, the autopsy report and autopsy photos. On the other side, the defense only called for on piece of evidence; The toxicology report of the deceased.

The jury heard all the evidence from the medical examiner. Judge Goodwin then chose to stop and reconvene at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Mar. 14.

This trial will be covered until it is completed. Check back daily for updates.