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Christopher Preciado Convicted of Capital Murder and Sentenced to Life Without Parole

The conviction shifts focus to a separate May trial for his father on evidence-tampering charges.

Overview

  • A Bexar County jury found Preciado, 21, guilty Thursday after about one hour and 56 minutes of deliberations, and he received life in prison without the possibility of parole.
  • Prosecutors said he shot Savanah Soto, who was nine months pregnant, and Matthew Guerra during a drug deal to rob Guerra’s cash and rings, then left their bodies in a San Antonio apartment complex with help they allege came from his parents.
  • Detectives testified that Instagram messages tied Preciado to Anthony Garcia, and pawn shop video showed Garcia selling a Versace ring and a large ruby ring matching Guerra’s jewelry for $300.
  • Investigators reported no gun in the victims’ car, but said they recovered a firearm of the same caliber in his parents’ locked bedroom with the magazine missing the right number of rounds.
  • The defense argued there were no DNA, fingerprints, or eyewitnesses placing him at the shootings, and jurors saw his interview in which he claimed he fired in self-defense during a struggle over a gun.