Jury to weigh punishment for Mariano Rendon after nightclub shooting; prosecutors seek 12 years

SAN ANTONIO — A jury on Friday began deciding punishment for Mariano Rendon, convicted of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury in connection with a July 20, 2023, shooting outside Joe's Volcano in San Antonio.

Prosecutors told jurors the conduct showed a pattern of dangerous behavior and asked them to impose a 12-year prison term. The defense urged a shorter prison term or probation and presented a string of character witnesses who said Rendon, known locally as “JR,” helps neighbors and employees and has been active in community and charitable work.

The case (2024 C R 2338 B) was called before Judge Stephanie Boyd of the 187th District Court. Judge Boyd instructed the jury on the applicable punishment range for aggravated assault — two to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice plus an optional fine up to $10,000 — and on the narrow circumstances in which the jury may recommend community supervision if the sentence does not exceed 10 years and the defendant qualifies.

The prosecution emphasized video and physical evidence from the July 2023 incident, the serious injury suffered by the victim, and prior conduct the state said showed the defendant’s disregard for public safety. In closing argument the prosecutor urged jurors to “send him to 12 years in prison,” saying the community needed protection from the sort of vigilante-style conduct the state attributed to the nightclub’s security practices.

Defense attorney Larry Bloomquist argued jurors should weigh Rendon’s long record of community support and character testimony. Bloomquist told jurors, “I think an appropriate sentence in this case is somewhere between 2 to 4 years in the penitentiary,” and said the defensive purpose claimed by Rendon’s supporters and employees merited leniency or probation.

Victim and other testimony heard earlier in the trial was presented to the jury for the punishment phase. Witness Oscar Del Fierro, who the state introduced as the driver of a vehicle that left the club on the night of the incident, described trying to “get to the safe spot to report” after he said he was followed and then shot at; defense witnesses described Rendon as a community figure who provides financial help, occasional repairs and charitable donations.

Detective William Bjork of the San Antonio Police Department, who responded the night of July 20, 2023, testified earlier that his investigation concluded the security staff “were not justified in shooting at the vehicle,” summarizing the agency’s on-scene assessment though investigators later continued follow-up work.

The jury had previously returned a guilty verdict in the guilt phase; the punishment phase focuses on the length of incarceration and whether the jury will recommend community supervision. Judge Boyd read the jury the statutory sentencing options and reminded jurors that if they consider other alleged misconduct they must find beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed those acts before using them as a basis for punishment.

During the punishment hearing the defense called more than a half dozen witnesses who described Rendon’s charitable work — including donating toys and food drives at Christmastime and helping neighbors with bills and home repairs — and his role as an employer at the club and its affiliated security company. The state cross-examined some witnesses about whether they had viewed the incident videos or were aware of Rendon’s prior deferred probation matters from 2003.

After closing arguments, Judge Boyd sent jurors to deliberate on punishment. The panel will decide whether to impose a term of imprisonment and, if so, how long — and whether to recommend community supervision if the legal criteria are met. The jury’s decision on punishment will determine whether Rendon faces immediate incarceration or a probationary sentence with court-imposed conditions.