Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Killing and Dumping Woman’s Body – Family Seeks Justice
A Bexar County judge has handed down a 40-year prison sentence to Francisco Javier Garcia Ventura for the murder of a woman whose body was found dumped in September 2021. The victim, Crystal Garcia, aged 32, was discovered in a field near Interstate 35 in Comal County. Her mother had reported her as missing just a week prior.
Garcia Ventura was apprehended by San Antonio police while attempting to board a bus to Mexico City. During the court proceedings, his attorney revealed that he opted for a plea deal to spare his family from further anguish. The defense claimed that Garcia Ventura acted in self-defense, citing his visible head injuries and concussion sustained amid a heated argument.
However, Garcia’s grieving family expressed their outrage and heartbreak at the tragedy. They fondly remembered her as a loving mother of four who was pursuing a nursing degree. In their emotional statement to the court, they asserted, You took a piece of us too. We’re very heartbroken and angry with you for what you did. She doesn’t deserve that.
Garcia Ventura himself maintained that the altercation turned physical after Garcia struck him on the forehead. In response, he claimed to have instinctively defended himself with a punch, resulting in her tragic demise.
Taking into account time already served, the judge credited Garcia Ventura accordingly. Nevertheless, upon his release from prison, he will be deported.
This case has left a lasting impact on the victim’s family, who continues to seek justice for Crystal Garcia. The tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of violence.
