Closing arguments began in 'El Gallito' murder trial

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Closing arguments began for the murder trial against Salomon Campos Jr. on Tuesday morning.

Campos is accused of kidnapping and murdering his uncle, a well-known attorney, Ernesto “El Gallito” Gonzales.

On Friday, Oct. 11 the state rested its case after bringing in three witnesses, including two expert witnesses, to testify.

On Monday, Oct. 14, the defense rested its case and called Rose Covarrubios, Gonzales’s ex-wife, a former Texas Ranger investigator and two expert witnesses, to the stand.

On Tuesday morning, the courtroom audience was full as several of Gonzales' and Campos' family members listened to the closing arguments.

At 9 a.m., the prosecutions began their closing argument, during which the lead prosecutor reminded the jury that this trial was not against the Harlingen Police Department.

Throughout the trial, the Harlingen Police Department was at the center of losing evidence during the investigation.

The lead prosecutor later shifted the focus to Campos and the evidence that he was following his uncle, "El Gallito." He told the jury before ending his closing argument that the evidence will prove Campos was involved "clear as day."

During the defense's closing arguments, they stated that the burden of proof falls on the prosecution and they failed to provide enough evidence that Campos committed the murder.

At 11:15 a.m. the closing arguments ended and the jury was tasked with deliberating and coming to a unanimous decision.