Isidro Delacruz
Isidro Delacruz
Photo of the victim, Naiya Villegas [undefined]
Isidro Miguel Delacruz is a convicted child murderer residing in San Angelo, Texas. In April 2018 he was given the death sentence for murdering his girlfriend's five year old daughter, Naiya Villegas by slashing her throat. [1] [undefined]
Early Life
According to his defense attorneys, Isidro Delacruz experienced personality disorders, learning disabilities and physical abuse growing up, which affected him in adulthood. [undefined]
Murder of Naiya Villegas
Isidro Miguel Delacruz is escorted out Thursday, March 29, 2018, from the Tom Green County courthouse after being found guilty of capital murder.
On Tuesday, April 17, 2018 a Tom Green County, Texas jury sentenced Isidro Delacruz to death for the 2014 murder of his then-girlfriend’s 5-year-old daughter, Naiya Villegas who died after he slit her throat was slit. [1]
According to testimony, the girl was killed after Delacruz went to his girlfriend’s home in the early morning hours of Sept. 2, 2014.
Tanya Bermea testified that she’d been afraid he would come over, so she tried to barricade the residence.
She testified that when he broke in through a window, she ran from the house but left her daughter sleeping believing Delacruz wouldn’t hurt her.
The jury of eight women and four men went into deliberation at 10:30 a.m. to answer the special issues questions that resulted in the death penalty on the fifth week of trial.
According to The San Angelo Standard-Times, Isidro Delacruz appeared emotionless when 119th District Judge Ben Woodward read the sentence in the courtroom, with relatives of both families present alongside six Tom Green County Sheriff's deputies. Delacruz also grinned when staff on the defense team patted his shoulders as he walked out of the courtroom in handcuffs. [undefined]
The same jury found Isidro Delacruz guilty of capital murder last month in the child's death. Naiya died in an ambulance on the way to the hospital after her throat was slit twice in the middle of the night at her mother's home in the 2700 block of Houston Street on Sept. 2, 2014. [undefined]
Isidro Delacruz's parents declined to comment Tuesday evening as family members hugged each other outside of the courthouse.
Members of Naiya's family said they are thankful justice was served, adding they were planning to hold a vigil on the courthouse lawn when the case concludes. [undefined]
"In the ultimate betrayal, Naiya’s short life was brutally, maliciously ended," 51st District Attorney Alison Palmer said in a statement after the sentencing.
"No family should have to endure the loss of a child, especially in these circumstances, at the hands of one who professed to love her.
"To the family of Naiya Villegas, you have my deepest sympathies.
I hope this resolution brings them some measure of closure, and that they will remember the beauty of Naiya and know that she has found justice."
Isidro Delacruz's defense team declined to comment.
Attorneys took less than an hour each to argue their case on the morning of Tuesday, April 17, 2018.
Court-appointed attorneys Robert R. Cowie and William P.H.
Boyles said Isidro Delacruz suffered from personality disorders, learning disabilities and physical abuse during his childhood, which still affects him today.
The defense told jurors life imprisonment is itself a death sentence in prison. [undefined]
Palmer said Isidro Delacruz has proven he is incapable of accepting responsibility for his actions and can't follow rules.
She argued a sketchy work history, drinking while on probation, numerous run-ins with the law and destructive conduct such as making shanks while he was awaiting trial in the Tom Green County Jail were all examples of impetuous behavior. [undefined]
The punishment phase of trial had two delays when it began in April 2018.
Woodward halted trial for several days the first week of April because an official gave prosecutors new school records on Isidro Delacruz.
Defense attorneys immediately filed for a mistrial and a sixth continuance based on the receipt of the additional school files, but Woodward ultimately turned down their motions. Woodward also delayed proceedings for a day last week for undisclosed reasons. [undefined]
About 100 witnesses were called to testify, including the child's mother, Delacruz's ex-girlfriend, who broke down and nearly collapsed in the courtroom when she saw a picture of Delacruz's bloody hand print inside her house.
Trial began in January when some 350 San Angelo residents reported to the McNease Convention Center for jury duty.
"It was common to hear prospective jurors say they did not want to serve on this jury, but they would because it is their responsibility as a citizen," Palmer said.
"Many said they knew the case would be difficult, but if their friends or family were involved as a victim or defendant, they would want responsible citizens on a jury to hear the case.
I am humbled by this sense of civic duty and community."
Twelve jurors and two alternates were eventually impaneled after more than seven weeks of tedious individual examination by attorneys.
"I thank all of the venirepersons who took time for jury selection, and I thank the 14 who so diligently served on this jury," Palmer said.
"They have my deepest respect."
Isidro Delacruz's case will automatically be filed for appeal. [undefined]