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State rests in trial of man accused of killing Cameron County deputy constable

State rests in trial of man accused of killing Cameron County deputy constable
1 week 6 days 16 hours ago Wednesday, April 16 2025 Apr 16, 2025 April 16, 2025 2:57 PM April 16, 2025 in News - Local

After multiple witnesses and three days worth of testimonies, the state has rested in the trial against Jesse Leatherwood.

Investigators say Leatherwood is responsible for the death of Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia; he died last September.

A forensic toxicologist with an outside company reviewed Leatherwood's blood sample. She says the results showed Xanax in his system was seven times the reporting limit.

Cocaine was also found, and the results showed the amount in his blood was 14 times the limit.

A special agent with Homeland Security also testified. He told the jury he extracted data from Leatherwood's phone. His investigation found that Leatherwood was on his phone for around a minute right before the crash.

Leatherwood continuously told Texas Department of Public Safety troopers that he only looked down at his phone for a few seconds.

Also on the stand was a Cameron County pathologist. She told the jury that she found the cause of death for Ruben Garcia to be blunt force trauma, and the manner of death was found to be accidental.

Graphic photos of Garcia were shown to the jury where she pointed out cuts to his skull. According to the pathologist, there was extreme blood loss within the chest 

Defense is expected to present their case on Thursday.



Update from April 16 at 12 p.m.:

Investigator: Leatherwood was on narcotics during crash that killed Cameron County deputy constable

A lead investigator testified in the intoxication manslaughter trial against Jesse Leatherwood on Wednesday.

Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Josue Granados testified that drug results showed Leatherwood had opioids and cocaine in his system at the time of the crash that killed Cameron County Deputy Constable Ruben Garcia.

Leatherwood is accused of driving under the influence when he hit Garcia's patrol unit last year.

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