Jury deliberations underway in trial for Abby's Bakery owners

LOS FRESNOS, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Jury deliberations are underway in day three of the trial for the owners of Abby's Bakery in Los Fresnos, Texas.

The trial kicked off Monday for owners Leonardo Baez and Nora Alicia Avila-Guel, who are accused of harboring undocumented employees inside their bakery.

Day three of the trial resumed at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday, with both sides making closing statements before noon.

After closing statements from the government and defense, jury deliberations began at 11:20 a.m.

The defense quickly rested after court began, as they did not call any witnesses to the stand. On Tuesday, it was speculated that Baez's and Avila Guel's son would testify, but it did not happen as he sat down in the courtroom.

Baez and Avila Guel are being charged with three counts of conspiracy to harbor and aiding and abetting. During closing statements, the prosecution said that the bakery owners should be found guilty for "choosing the dollar over the law."

The government also stated that living conditions were not adequate, and they knew that the people there were in the country illegally and were only providing shelter for monetary gain.

The defense argued in closing statements that the owners never forced anybody to stay with them. They also argued that mere sheltering is not harboring and that they didn't form part of any conspiracy to get them to the country illegally.

Our reporter Jorge Vela is in the courtroom and says that as the jury deliberates, a large group of family and friends of the bakery owners has already gathered in the courtroom, awaiting a verdict.