Edinburg man convicted in 2021 murder sentenced to 35 years in prison

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EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — An Edinburg man found guilty on a murder charge has been ordered to serve 35 years in prison, according to Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios.

Miguel Angel Mujica, 40, was convicted of the October 2021 murder of 24-year-old Milton Rodriguez.

Mujica was also found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Case background

At Mujica's trial, evidence was presented that on October 7, 2021, officers with the Edinburg Police Department responded to an apartment complex on Mojave Street regarding a man who had suffered an apparent gunshot wound to the face.

When officers arrived, they found the victim, Rodriguez, deceased on the pavement outside an apartment. During the trial, a witness identified Mujica as the aggressor who brandished a handgun before a fight ensued. The witness also reported hearing a gunshot while fleeing to get help for Rodriguez.

At the crime scene, investigators recovered a sandal that was later matched to Mujica through DNA analysis. In addition, a Glock 17 handgun was also recovered from Mujica at the time of his arrest on October 8, 2021. A ballistics expert confirmed the firearm was the same weapon used to shoot Rodriguez, based on analysis of the bullet extracted during autopsy.

During the sentencing phase, the jury heard testimony regarding Mujica’s prior criminal history and emotional statements from a relative of Milton Rodriguez.

Mujica's punishment phase began Monday, and on Wednesday, the jury returned its punishment verdict, sentencing Mujica to 35 years in prison for murder and four years for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

The sentences will run concurrently.

“It is always a tragedy when a life is taken unnecessarily and a family is left behind to pick up the pieces,” said District Attorney Palacios. “I hope this verdict brings some measure of closure to Milton’s family and serves as a reminder that our office, along with the people of this community, will not tolerate senseless acts of violence.”

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