Former cop guilty in shooting of Selma police officer

1of50Bexar County District Attorney Nicholas LaHood using a piece of evidence, makes closing arguments in the 437th State District Court, in the case against Jessie Hernandez Jr. on Tuesday, August 11, 2015, who is accused of shooting two police officers.Bob Owen/San Antonio Express-News

7of50Defendant Jessie Hernandez Jr. sits in the 437th State District Court Tuesday afternoon Aug. 4, 2015 during his aggravated assault trial for allegedly shooting two Selma police officers responding to a domestic disturbance call. Hernandez is a former cop himself, who worked for the Corpus Christi and Robstown departments.William Luther, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

8of50Defendant Jessie Hernandez Jr. sits in the 437th State District Court Tuesday afternoon Aug. 4, 2015 during his aggrivated assault trial for allegedly shooting two Selma police officers responding to a domestic disturbance call. Hernandez is a former cop himself, who worked for the Corpus Christi and Robstown departmentsWilliam Luther / San Antonio Express-News

11of50District Attorney Nicholas LaHood reads the indictment Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015 as the lead prosecutor in Jessie Hernandez Jr.'s trial on charges related to the shooting of two Selma police officers in September 2013. Hernandez is a former cop himself, who worked for the Corpus Christi and Robstown departments.William Luther, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

13of50District Attorney Nicholas LaHood presents documents Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015 as the lead prosecutor to witness Sgt. Jesse Balderamos during Jessie Hernandez Jr.'s trial on charges related to the shooting of two Selma police officers in September 2013. Balderamos is one of the two officers shot. Hernandez is a former cop himself, who worked for the Corpus Christi and Robstown departments.William Luther, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

17of50Defense attorney John "Bud" Ritenour, right, presents documents Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015 to witness Sgt. Jesse Balderamos during Jessie Hernandez Jr.'s trial on charges related to the shooting of two Selma police officers in September 2013. Balderamos is one of the two officers shot. Hernandez is a former cop himself, who worked for the Corpus Christi and Robstown departments.William Luther, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

19of50defense attorney John "Bud" Ritenour, left and District Attorney Nicholas LaHood talk Tuesday Aug. 4, 2015 to 437th State Distirct Judge Lori Valenzuela during Jessie Hernandez, Jr.'s trial for allegedly shooting two Selma police officers when they responded to a domestic disturbance call. Hernandez is a former cop himself, who worked for the Corpus Christi and Robstown departmentsWilliam Luther, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

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A law enforcement official is parked in front of a home Friday September 20, 2013 on the 9,000 block of Pinseeker in Selma, Texas where two Selma police officers were allegedly shot shortly after 10:30 p.m. last night while responding to a domestic disturbance call. According to early reports, police were able to return fire at the suspect who also was allegedly shot. The officers and the suspect were taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center for treatment. Their conditions are unknown at this time.
JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

23of50A law enforcement official enters a home Friday September 20, 2013 on the 9,000 block of Pinseeker in Selma, Texas where two Selma police officers were allegedly shot shortly after 10:30 p.m. last night while responding to a domestic disturbance call. According to early reports, police were able to return fire at the suspect who also was allegedly shot. The officers and the suspect were taken to San Antonio Military Medical Center for treatment. Their conditions are unknown at this time.JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Defendant, Frances Hall, background right, watches as the bumper cover of her Cadillac Escalade is taken out of the courtroom. She was found guilty of using her vehicle to driver her cheating husband Bill Hall off the road and also ramming another vehicle driven by his lover Bonnie Contreras.Read more: Woman convicted of killing her husband sentenced to two years in prison — 29of50
Defendant, Frances Hall, background right, watches as the bumper cover of her Cadillac Escalade is taken out of the courtroom. She was found guilty of using her vehicle to driver her cheating husband Bill Hall off the road and also ramming another vehicle driven by his lover Bonnie Contreras.

**Read more:** Woman convicted of killing her husband sentenced to two years in prison
Ron Cortes, Freelance / For the San Antonio Express-News

Prosecutor Julie Wright brings out the weapon used in the ambush murder of Bexar County Sheriff Sgt. Kenneth Vann, during closing arguments in the punishment phase of the capital murder trial of Mark Anthony Gonzalez, Oct. 19, 2015. Gonzalez, 45, was convicted of capital murder for killing Sgt. Kenneth Vann, 48, with an AR-15 assault rifle in 2011.Read more: Competency hearing scheduled for convicted cop killer Mark Anthony Gonzalez — 31of50
Prosecutor Julie Wright brings out the weapon used in the ambush murder of Bexar County Sheriff Sgt. Kenneth Vann, during closing arguments in the punishment phase of the capital murder trial of Mark Anthony Gonzalez, Oct. 19, 2015.

Gonzalez, 45, was convicted of capital murder for killing Sgt. Kenneth Vann, 48, with an AR-15 assault rifle in 2011.

**Read more:** Competency hearing scheduled for convicted cop killer Mark Anthony Gonzalez
JERRY LARA, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

District Attorney Nicholas LaHood demonstrates how improbable it would have been for a defendant to use the gun to attempt suicide. Jessie Hernandez Jr., a former cop found guilty of shooting a Selma Police officer, was sentenced to life in prison.Read more: Life sentence for ex-cop convicted of shooting Selma officer — 32of50
District Attorney Nicholas LaHood demonstrates how improbable it would have been for a defendant to use the gun to attempt suicide.

Jessie Hernandez Jr., a former cop found guilty of shooting a Selma Police officer, was sentenced to life in prison.

**Read more:** Life sentence for ex-cop convicted of shooting Selma officer
Photos by Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News

This photo shows the 32-Caliber Walther that convicted murderer Pearl Cruz used to threaten Diane Tilly on the night Tilly was murdered. The gun was used as evidence during the trial of Cruz and her father, Ronnie Joe Neal.The two were convicted in the November 2004 robbery, rape and death of Tilly after a trial that received national attention in 2006. In 2010, Neal was found dead in his prison cell after he overdosed on prescribed anti-depressants. Cruz, who was 15 years old at the time of Tilly's murder, was released on parole from the Texas Youth Commission in 2010.Read more: S.A. teacher's killer hoarded pills, overdosed — 34of50
This photo shows the 32-Caliber Walther that convicted murderer Pearl Cruz used to threaten Diane Tilly on the night Tilly was murdered. The gun was used as evidence during the trial of Cruz and her father, Ronnie Joe Neal.

The two were convicted in the November 2004 robbery, rape and death of Tilly after a trial that received national attention in 2006. In 2010, Neal was found dead in his prison cell after he overdosed on prescribed anti-depressants. Cruz, who was 15 years old at the time of Tilly's murder, was released on parole from the Texas Youth Commission in 2010.

**Read more: S.A. teacher's killer hoarded pills, overdosed**
LISA KRANTZ/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

In this photo, prosecutor Christopher Ramos brings out a knife as evidence during the murder trial of Tiffany James in July 2012.That month, James received nine years in prison for manslaughter after fatally stabbing her boyfriend, Antwan Wolford, in November 2009. James, who had a baby with Wilford, was painted as a domestic violence victim by defense attorneys. On the other hand, prosecutors said James was an angry, jealous girlfriend. Read more: Teen mom gets 9 years for killing boyfriend — 35of50
In this photo, prosecutor Christopher Ramos brings out a knife as evidence during the murder trial of Tiffany James in July 2012.

That month, James received nine years in prison for manslaughter after fatally stabbing her boyfriend, Antwan Wolford, in November 2009. James, who had a baby with Wilford, was painted as a domestic violence victim by defense attorneys. On the other hand, prosecutors said James was an angry, jealous girlfriend.

**Read more: Teen mom gets 9 years for killing boyfriend**
Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

This crime scene photo was used as evidence in Frances Rosalez Ford's felony murder case after she caused a fatal head-on wreck while driving the wrong way on U.S. 281 in October 2010.In 2013, Ford pleaded guilty of killing Lawrence Vigier Belcher when Ford was driving while intoxicated. Ford was charged with felony murder instead of intoxication manslaughter due to this being her third driving-while-intoxicated offense. She was sentenced to life in prison.Read more: Habitual drunken driver sentenced to life for fatal wreck — 37of50
This crime scene photo was used as evidence in Frances Rosalez Ford's felony murder case after she caused a fatal head-on wreck while driving the wrong way on U.S. 281 in October 2010.

In 2013, Ford pleaded guilty of killing Lawrence Vigier Belcher when Ford was driving while intoxicated. Ford was charged with felony murder instead of intoxication manslaughter due to this being her third driving-while-intoxicated offense. She was sentenced to life in prison.

**Read more: Habitual drunken driver sentenced to life for fatal wreck**
Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News

In this photo, Bexar country prosecutor Christian Henricksen (right) holds an example of a machete that was purchased from a Southside Wal-Mart during the questioning of Wal-Mart employee Ruben Naranjo in the murder trial of Thomas Ahrens on Jan. 13, 2011.Ahrens was sentenced to 45 years in prison later that month for hacking Naranjo to death with too many "chop injuries" to count.Read more: Machete murderer handed 45 years — 38of50
In this photo, Bexar country prosecutor Christian Henricksen (right) holds an example of a machete that was purchased from a Southside Wal-Mart during the questioning of Wal-Mart employee Ruben Naranjo in the murder trial of Thomas Ahrens on Jan. 13, 2011.

Ahrens was sentenced to 45 years in prison later that month for hacking Naranjo to death with too many "chop injuries" to count.

**Read more: Machete murderer handed 45 years**
Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed shows an assault rifle to officer Robert Carter, the partner of the late officer Hector Garza in the third day of testimony during the trial of Frank Garcia, who was accused of capital murder.Garcia fatally shot Officer Garza after Garza was called to the home of Garcia and his wife for a domestic dispute in 2001. On that day, Garcia refused to let his wife leave the house. When Garza walked into a bedroom, Garcia shot Garza and his wife, who he abused for years. Garcia was executed in October 2011.Read more: Officer's killer is put to death — 40of50
Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed shows an assault rifle to officer Robert Carter, the partner of the late officer Hector Garza in the third day of testimony during the trial of Frank Garcia, who was accused of capital murder.

Garcia fatally shot Officer Garza after Garza was called to the home of Garcia and his wife for a domestic dispute in 2001. On that day, Garcia refused to let his wife leave the house. When Garza walked into a bedroom, Garcia shot Garza and his wife, who he abused for years. Garcia was executed in October 2011.

**Read more: Officer's killer is put to death**
ALICIA WAGNER CALZADA/Express-News

Windcrest police officer Tyler Lindsey testifies in the murder trial of Benjamin William Blackstone, who was convicted of killing Jeffrey Keller with an AR-15 assault rifle in 2012. At the time, the two were arguing in Keller's home when Blackstone shot Keller.Blackstone was initially charged with murder in 2012, but his charges were later reduced to manslaughter.Read more: Teen charged with murder in Windcrest shooting — 41of50
Windcrest police officer Tyler Lindsey testifies in the murder trial of Benjamin William Blackstone, who was convicted of killing Jeffrey Keller with an AR-15 assault rifle in 2012. At the time, the two were arguing in Keller's home when Blackstone shot Keller.

Blackstone was initially charged with murder in 2012, but his charges were later reduced to manslaughter.

**Read more: Teen charged with murder in Windcrest shooting**
Helen L. Montoya / San Antonio Express-News

Two cars were used as evidence in the in the murder trial of Christopher Hughes Lamar in 2013. The photo shows the car (front) Lamar hit when driving drunk in 2012, killing Jessica Rodriguez, 28, and her daughter Kaylee Flores,10. Lamar was also speeding and texting.Lamar was convicted of felony murder and ordered to serve 30 years in prison for each death, concurrently. Because he had two prior DWIs, he was charged with felony murder instead of intoxication manslaughter.Read more: Drunken driver gets 30 years for double murder — 43of50
Two cars were used as evidence in the in the murder trial of Christopher Hughes Lamar in 2013. The photo shows the car (front) Lamar hit when driving drunk in 2012, killing Jessica Rodriguez, 28, and her daughter Kaylee Flores,10. Lamar was also speeding and texting.

Lamar was convicted of felony murder and ordered to serve 30 years in prison for each death, concurrently. Because he had two prior DWIs, he was charged with felony murder instead of intoxication manslaughter.

**Read more: Drunken driver gets 30 years for double murder**
YouTube/Screenshots

In this photo, Darrius Goodwin, 22, who was accused of man slaughter, listens to a witness' testimony while a picture of the weapon used in the shooting is displayed during the trial on Aug. 26, 2014.In September 2014, Darrius Goodwin was convicted of man slaughter for fatally shooting his father, Daniel Goodwin, 41, in the chest during a dispute at a family barbecue in June 2012.Read more: Son guilty of manslaughter for barbecue shooting — 44of50
In this photo, Darrius Goodwin, 22, who was accused of man slaughter, listens to a witness' testimony while a picture of the weapon used in the shooting is displayed during the trial on Aug. 26, 2014.

In September 2014, Darrius Goodwin was convicted of man slaughter for fatally shooting his father, Daniel Goodwin, 41, in the chest during a dispute at a family barbecue in June 2012.

**Read more: Son guilty of manslaughter for barbecue shooting**
For the San Antonio Express-News

In this photo, prosecutor Jason Garrahan (left) uses an assault rifle as a pointer while questioning witness Craig Griffin (far right) Tuesday, March 13, 2012, during the murder trial of Shawn Lewis.In June of that year, Lewis was charged with murdering Carl Bennett by firing rounds of a SKS assault rifle in the air.Read more: Bystander's shooting death nets man 35 years in prison — 46of50
In this photo, prosecutor Jason Garrahan (left) uses an assault rifle as a pointer while questioning witness Craig Griffin (far right) Tuesday, March 13, 2012, during the murder trial of Shawn Lewis.

In June of that year, Lewis was charged with murdering Carl Bennett by firing rounds of a SKS assault rifle in the air.

**Read more: Bystander's shooting death nets man 35 years in prison**
Craig Kapitan/San Antonio Express-News

Security surveillance used as evidence for the death penalty trial of Lorenzo Thompson shows Airman Vanessa Pitts clinging to the side of a stolen truck the defendant was driving after her purse was stolen in 2010. Moments later, Pitts was ejected from the truck as it sped away and swerved into another vehicle, causing her death, prosecutors said.In 2012, Thompson was denied the death penalty, but was sentenced to life in prison.Read more: Airman's killer gets life sentence — 49of50
Security surveillance used as evidence for the death penalty trial of Lorenzo Thompson shows Airman Vanessa Pitts clinging to the side of a stolen truck the defendant was driving after her purse was stolen in 2010. Moments later, Pitts was ejected from the truck as it sped away and swerved into another vehicle, causing her death, prosecutors said.

In 2012, Thompson was denied the death penalty, but was sentenced to life in prison.

**Read more: Airman's killer gets life sentence**
Courtesy

SAN ANTONIO — A former cop accused of shooting two officers who responded to a domestic disturbance call at his home in September 2013 was found guilty of aggravated assault of a public servant on Tuesday.

Jessie Hernandez, 35, faces up to life in prison.

This trial, which started last week in state District Judge Lori Valenzuela's court, is only for the charge related to the shooting of Selma Police Officer Tiffany Kierum, who was shot in the face, and not for the shooting of her back-up partner, Sgt. Jesse Balderamas, who was shot in the leg but returned fire and wounded Hernandez. That charge is still pending.

Hernandez served as a police officer in Corpus Christi and Robstown and left the field in 2009.

A spokesman at the CCPD previously said he was dismissed for "misconduct," but did not clarify.

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During closing arguments, Hernandez' defense attorney John "Bud" Ritenour urged jurors not to make a snap judgment and to carefully consider the evidence during deliberations.

He reminded them of testimony they'd heard from Hernandez' father, who was in the home at the time of the shooting, and said he believed his son was attempting to commit suicide when the gun was fired.

District Attorney Nicholas LaHood delivered closing arguments for the state, and, echoing a word Ritenour used once during his closing argument, called the idea that Hernandez accidentally wounded the officers "bullshit" at least six times.

At least three times he addressed individual jurors by name as he wrapped up the state's case.

"I'm gonna call it crap and I'm not going to apologize for it," he said, later adding "I make no apologies for my enthusiasm. I am the way God made me."

The courtroom was crowded yet quiet as the jury's verdict was read aloud -- there was no visible reaction from Hernandez or Kierum, who was in uniform and sitting in the front row of the gallery for the announcement.

mcasady@express-news.net

Twitter: @michellecasady