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Jury convicts Jose Lopez of aggravated robbery and aggravated assault; finds deadly-weapon use
Summary
A jury in Bexar County found Jose Lopez guilty of aggravated robbery and aggravated assault and determined he used a deadly weapon, the court announced after deliberations. Judge Stephanie Boyd paused proceedings for a punishment-phase hearing.
A Bexar County jury on Tuesday returned guilty verdicts against Jose Lopez, finding him guilty of aggravated robbery (count 1) and aggravated assault (count 2) and answering the deadly-weapon special issue in the affirmative.
The jury’s verdict came after a multi-day trial in 2023CR9068. Judge Stephanie Boyd reconvened the courtroom to receive the signed verdict forms and told jurors, "You are not allowed to discuss this case during your lunch break," before adjourning them for the midday recess and scheduling a separate punishment phase.
Why it matters: The guilty findings on both counts — plus an affirmative deadly-weapon finding — clear the way for a separate sentencing proceeding in which the court will consider evidence related to punishment. The deadly-weapon finding enhances the statutory punishment range the judge may impose if she ultimately adjudicates Lopez guilty and sentences him.
Trial background and evidence: During the jury charge reading and prior proceedings, the court instructed jurors on the elements of aggravated robbery and aggravated assault, the available defenses (including the statutory protection-of-property instruction), and the definitions the jury must apply. Prosecutors argued the state had proved the elements beyond a reasonable doubt; defense counsel urged that the evidence did not establish the indicted instruments or the requisite intent. The jury found otherwise on both counts.
Next steps: Judge Boyd told the court she would reconvene the panel for phase two — the punishment phase — and that either party may present additional evidence relevant to sentencing. The judge directed courtroom staff to line up jurors and arranged to resume with punishment-phase proceedings later in the day.
Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the official record. The jury’s signed verdicts were read in open court and accepted by Judge Boyd, who supervised the courtroom proceedings. The court logged the verdict reading and scheduled the next steps in the case.
Ending: With guilty verdicts recorded and a deadly-weapon finding affirmed, Lopez faces a separate punishment hearing before Judge Stephanie Boyd. The court will hear evidence about punishment and then determine sentence range and conditions.
