Jury finds Alamo man guilty of killing Donna High School student

EDINBURG — The jury on Wednesday afternoon found a 23-year-old Alamo man guilty of killing a 19-year-old Donna man in 2020 following approximately 4 1/2 hours of deliberations.

Carlos Julian Contreras has been on trial since Sept. 15 for the fatal shooting of Genaro Isaiah “Izzy” Castillo on Jan. 14, 2020 near Donna Lake. He has pleaded not guilty and claims 21-year-old Jorge Veliz forced him to shoot Castillo.

The jury did not buy the claim.

Family members of Genaro Isaiah “Izzy” Castillo react after a verdict was reached in the Carlos Julian Contreras murder trial in the 476th state District Court at the Hidalgo County Courthouse on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Veliz, who has not been charged, has testified that Contreras forced him at gunpoint to aid in the killing of Castillo.

Following the verdict, Contreras showed no emotion and turned and nodded at his family.

Contreras, who had been free on bond, was taken into custody after the verdict was announced.

On Wednesday morning, the state and defense made closing arguments.

Castillo’s attorney attacked the investigation and told jurors that Contreras was truthful during his initial interview with investigators and gave facts, including naming and describing Veliz, telling authorities where he lived, disclosing that he smuggled people and that they would find casings and bullets in his truck.

The attorney said Contreras also told investigators he was threatened before and after the shooting while also pointing out that this was the lead investigator’s first homicide case, telling jurors the investigator wrote Contreras off in 15 minutes.

Prosecutors reminded jurors that Contreras was jealous of Castillo’s friend Elijah Velasquez, who had held the door open and flirted with his girlfriend, Miranda Luna, 21, prior to the homicide.

Carlos Julian Contreras waits to leave the courtroom after closing arguments concluded as he stands trial for the murder of Genaro Isaiah “Izzy” Castillo in the 476th state District Court at the Hidalgo County Courthouse on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Judge Nereida Lopez-Singleterry speaks with the lawyers involved from the bench as Carlos Julian Contreras stands trial for the murder of Genaro Isaiah “Izzy” Castillo in the 476th state District Court at the Hidalgo County Courthouse on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in Edinburg. (Joel Martinez | jmartinez@themonitor.com)

Luna, who has an immunity agreement with prosecutors, has also pointed the finger at Veliz. She previously testified that he forced Contreras to shoot Castillo.

Prosecutors also told jurors that Veliz had no motive to kill Castillo and didn’t even know his name until the homicide was reported in the news. The prosecutor also pointed to the fact that Castillo was shot seven times and had no defensive injuries, calling the killing overkill, while reminding jurors that Veliz voluntarily cooperated with investigators and has not been charged.

The sentencing phase of the trial is scheduled to begin Monday morning.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the jury’s verdict. 

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