Convicted killer's 'self-defense' appeal rejected by appeals court

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Texas appeals court has denied a twice-convicted killer’s claim that he did not get a fair trial. 

Anthony Eliff was found guilty in 2020 for the murder of his roommate, Guillermo “Willie G” Garcia.  

In his appeal, Eliff argued the Cameron County court committed a reversible error when it denied his motion to suppress his confession to law enforcement, denied his request for an instruction on self-defense against multiple assailants, and allowed the state to introduce evidence of a second pending murder charge in the death of his girlfriend at the time, Elyn Loera. 

The appellate court agreed with the lower court's decision and upheld Eliff's guilty verdict. 

In October 2023, Eliff was sentenced to 75 years in prison for murder and 20 years for the additional charge of a felon having a gun.

ValleyCentral's award-winning series RGV TRUE CRIME spoke exclusively with the family and friends of Willie G and Elyn.

Elyn’s younger brothers, Judas and Ramsey, were not in the courtroom when Eliff was sentenced.

“I wouldn’t stand to look at him. I just can’t,” Ramsey said.

“I don’t think it’s enough justice,” Judas said.

Judy Lee Martinez, a close friend of Garcia, spoke with the TRUE CRIME'S team at Willie's grave.

"He deserves to be six feet under," Martinez said.

Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz spoke on the sentencing, saying, "He will die in prison, where he deserves to be."