by | Published
Pedro Espinoza Jr., 34, of Uvalde, was convicted of murder by a Medina County jury after just 26 minutes of deliberation for the December 11, 2021, killing of Marlon Lindsey, according to a statement released by Medina County Criminal District Attorney Mark P. Haby. Espinoza was sentenced to life in prison and must serve 30 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Lindsey, 45, a U.S. Army veteran and father of four from Beaumont, had moved to San Antonio to work as a conductor for BNSF Railway. On the night of the incident, he was being driven with coworkers to the Hondo Railyard along Highway 90 when Espinoza, who had been reported by multiple 911 callers for driving on the wrong side of the highway, approached the van Lindsey was traveling in.
As the driver of the van veered to avoid a head-on collision, a gunshot shattered the window, and Lindsey—who had just fallen asleep—was struck in the neck.
Deputies responding to the calls pursued Espinoza through Castroville, ending the chase near the Medina-Bexar County line. Espinoza was arrested and later admitted to smoking methamphetamine earlier that night. He told authorities he believed rival gang members were following him.
The firearm used in the shooting was found discarded along Highway 90. Espinoza said he threw it out after thinking it had jammed or was out of ammunition. Other drivers reported hearing gunshots and later discovered bullet holes in their vehicles after passing Espinoza.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Espinoza was a member of Tango Orejon, a violent prison gang based in the San Antonio area.
Assistant District Attorney Christian Neumann stated that Espinoza’s “paranoid delusions” endangered numerous innocent lives during what was described as a multi-county shooting spree.
