A San Diego man accused of exposing his ex-girlfriend’s fiance was found guilty of murder Monday. Records showed he had been searching online for ways to carry out this gruesome crime.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Jesse Alvarez, 33, searched Google for “How to kill your ex-fiance” and “Can you shoot a robber in California?” Before shooting Mario Fierro, 37, outside his apartment in 2021.
Alvarez was furious after learning through a Facebook post that Fierro was engaged to his ex-girlfriend, Amy Gemballa, with whom he dated on and off from 2015 to 2019. According to FOX10.
After stakeout Fierro’s North Park home for more than an hour, Alvarez shot Fierro six times, four in the head, after an argument.
In addition to internet searches, Alvarez was taking shooting lessons after learning of the engagement. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported..
Ms. Fierro and Ms. Gemballa were both teachers at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, and Ms. Alvarez was trying to secure a job serving meals near her ex-girlfriend, to whom she was obsessed.
Gemballa said she tried to get a restraining order because Alvarez constantly contacted her and tried to track her down, but that was denied because she promised to leave Alvarez alone.
Within two days of that appointment, Alvarez tried to contact her again.
Alvarez, who took the stand during the March 7 trial, testified that he has undiagnosed autism, which led to obsessive thoughts that made it impossible for Gemballa to understand that it was over. did.
He also claimed that internet searches were nothing more than a “bad fantasy”.
Alvarez’s attorney argued that Fierro did not intend to kill Fierro when he went to his home, but that he fired in self-defense because the victim struck him first.
The prosecution, and the jury that convicted him, didn’t understand that.
“His intentions are very clear,” Deputy District Attorney Ramona McCarthy said in court, according to the Union-Tribune.
Alvarez faces a possible life sentence without parole after being convicted of first-degree murder.
