Jury sentences Robert Castillo to 12 years in prison for manslaughter; court finds vehicle a deadly weapon

A jury in Bexar County on Tuesday sentenced Robert Castillo to 12 years in prison on each of two counts — manslaughter and failure to give information and render aid — and made affirmative deadly-weapon findings that the motor vehicle was used in the commission of the offenses.

The verdict followed the punishment phase of Castillo’s trial, during which the state introduced victim-impact testimony from Christine Gonzales, who identified herself as the mother of Eric Michael Moody. Gonzales told jurors about her son’s life and urged the panel to hold Castillo fully accountable. “I told our attorneys we were coming to trial. I honestly thought this would be settled out,” she said, asking jurors to consider a stiffer penalty given the loss to her family.

Defense counsel David McClain urged jurors to temper justice with mercy, arguing Castillo is a family man with responsibilities and that probation would be “justice” that includes substantial conditions and ongoing supervision. “Probation is not a gift,” McClain said in closing; “it’s hard, and it’s not easy.”

The prosecutor framed the case as one of accountability and disputed that Castillo had shown meaningful remorse during trial testimony. The prosecutor asked the jury to impose a term at the high end of the statutory range, telling jurors that a prison sentence reflects the gravity of the victim’s loss and protects community safety.

After deliberations the jury returned unanimous findings that Castillo had used or exhibited a deadly weapon — a motor vehicle — during both offenses, and assessed 12 years for each count. The court ordered the two sentences to run concurrently and declined to impose fines. The judge credited Castillo with time served and entered a no-contact order between Castillo and the victim’s family. The court also noted that, as a felony conviction, Castillo is prohibited from possessing firearms.

The jury heard evidence and argument on the range of punishment, including testimony from a probation department liaison about standard and specialized supervision conditions, and testimony from the victim’s mother describing her son’s life and the impacts of his death.

The court’s written charge to jurors explained the sentencing ranges (two to 20 years) and the legal meaning of a deadly-weapon finding when a motor vehicle is used in a manner capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. Following the verdict, the court entered judgment and advised Castillo of appellate rights and the collateral consequences of the felony convictions.

The case may proceed to post-trial filings; defense counsel told the court he was evaluating whether to file an appeal.