A California man who Googled “how to kill your ex-fiancée” was found guilty Monday of murdering a Catholic high school teacher.
The San Diego County Prosecutor’s Office charged Jesse Alvarez, 33, with first-degree murder on February 1, 2021, when he shot Mario Fierro as he left his home to go to work at Cathedral Catholic High School. announced that he had been found guilty of the crime.
Prosecutors said Alvarez killed Fierro out of jealousy after learning that the victim was engaged to his ex-girlfriend, Amy Gemballa, also a Catholic teacher at the cathedral.
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He testified that Alvarez and Gemballa broke up after three and a half years together, and that he developed an unhealthy obsession with her. Fox 5 KUSI Reported in San Diego. At one point, she changed her phone number, moved, and tried to get a restraining order.
A California man Googled how to kill his ex-girlfriend’s fiance, prosecutors say. (Reuters/Neil Hall)
Prosecutors say Alvarez began planning the murder after learning that Gemballa and Fierro were engaged. He planned and researched ways to ambush and kill him outside his apartment.
“‘I was growing angry’ – his words. Yes, he was. And he continued to stir up anger. And what else did he say? He was Fierro. He wanted him gone or dead,” Deputy District Attorney Ramona McCarthy told jurors.
To plan the murder, Alvarez searched Google repeatedly for ways to get away with murder.
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“As far as Google search goes, that was definitely a big piece of evidence in this case,” McCarthy said after reading the verdict.
Alvarez claimed he approached Fierro and introduced himself. Fierro reportedly became furious and threatened to kill her. Alvarez said he tried to calm Fierro down before pulling out his gun.
Defense barrister Peter Blair said: “If this was planned, he would just shoot him straight away. He wasn’t trying to talk to him, he wasn’t trying to have a conversation.” .
Prosecutors said Fierro was shot six times, four of them in the head, but rejected Alvarez’s claim of self-defense.
Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego. (Google Maps)
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“Mr. Fierro did not know that the defendant was there or that he existed. He did not know that the defendant waited for nearly an hour, watching, until his back was turned. He is a coward.” McCarthy said. said. .
Alvarez is scheduled to be sentenced on May 10th and faces a possible life sentence.
